Xi Jinping speaks with British Prime Minister... “Gudong Zone, let’s expand cooperation”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kwon Sook-hee = State-run China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the evening of the 8th (local time).

In a phone call, President Xi congratulated Prime Minister Burnham on his inauguration and said, "Both sides should respect and trust each other and overcome differences to increase the size of the cooperation pie."

In particular, President Xi said, "Let's cooperate and cooperate," which means that both sides pursue common interests while acknowledging their differences.

At the same time, he said that China plans to expand its openness to the outside world in the education, medical, and financial fields, and that there is room for expansion of cooperation between the two countries in these fields.

President Xi continued, “I hope that the UK side will fully guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors.”

Previously, the Chinese government had urged the British government to comply with the investment protection agreement and guarantee the rights and interests of Chinese companies in relation to the nationalization of British Steel.

Although President Xi did not directly mention the issue, as this remark was made during a phone call between the leaders, it is interpreted as an emphasis of China's position to the new British government.

President Xi also said that we must promote global multipolarization and inclusive economic globalization within the framework of the United Nations, G20, and World Trade Organization (WTO).

In a phone call that day, Prime Minister Burnham said that Britain's position on the Taiwan issue remained unchanged, CCTV reported.

According to CCTV, Prime Minister Burnham said, "The British side hopes to promote high-level exchanges and cooperation in various fields with China and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges," and added, "I hope to restore the relationship between the two countries to the highest level in history and make the people of both countries happier."

He also praised China's efficient response to the debris flow disaster that occurred in Tibet (Xizang) Autonomous Region, adjacent to Nepal, which was hit by a major flood, and expressed gratitude for the support provided to British citizens, CCTV reported.