Xi Jinping had a phone call with British Prime Minister Burnham

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 8. On the evening of September 8, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with British Prime Minister Burnham at request.

Xi Jinping congratulated Burnham on his assumption of office as British Prime Minister and pointed out that China and the UK are comprehensive strategic partners. Although the two countries have different social systems and national conditions, their common interests outweigh their differences. Both sides should respect and trust each other, transcend differences, seek common ground while reserving differences, and make the pie of mutually beneficial cooperation bigger. Both governments are committed to developing the economy and improving people's livelihood, and can complement each other's advantages and help each other. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, China will further expand its opening up to the outside world in education, medical care, and finance. These are areas with potential for cooperation between the two countries. China and the UK are both major scientific and technological countries with rich educational, cultural, sports and other resources. They should maintain an open and forward-looking attitude and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields. It is hoped that the UK will fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and the world's major economies, China and the United Kingdom both support multilateralism and open trade, maintain the core status of the United Nations, and strengthen communication and collaboration within the United Nations, the Group of 20, the World Trade Organization and other frameworks, and promote an equal and orderly world multipolarization, universal and inclusive economic globalization.

Burnham agreed, saying that he had served as the mayor of Manchester for a long time and had friendly exchanges with China for many years. President Xi Jinping visited Manchester during his state visit to the UK in 2015, which had an important impact on promoting exchanges between the local area and China. The UK is willing to maintain the continuity of its policy towards China and unswervingly develop a long-term and stable strategic partnership between the UK and China. The UK is willing to carry out high-level exchanges with China, promote cooperation between the two countries in various fields, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, restore bilateral relations to the highest level in history, and better benefit the two peoples. The British position on the Taiwan issue has not changed. In the current turbulent and complex international situation, as permanent members of the Security Council, the UK and China should promote dialogue to resolve international hot issues, jointly respond to global challenges such as climate change, and work together to maintain world stability and prosperity. Burnham appreciated China's efficient and effective response to the landslide disaster in Gyirong, Tibet, and thanked China for providing assistance to the affected British citizens.