{"id":24867,"date":"2026-09-09T13:19:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T07:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=24867"},"modified":"2026-09-09T13:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T07:34:14","slug":"xi-jinping-and-uk-prime-minister-andy-burnham-hold-phone-talks-pledge-to-strengthen-china-uk-strategic-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=24867","title":{"rendered":"Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Hold Phone Talks, Pledge to Strengthen China\u2013UK Strategic Partnership<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday, congratulating him on taking office and calling for China\u2013UK relations to develop in a long-term, stable and mutually beneficial direction.<\/p>\n

According to an official readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xi said China and the United Kingdom enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership. Although the two countries have different social systems and national conditions, he noted that their common interests outweigh their differences. Xi called on both sides to respect and trust each other, properly manage disagreements, seek common ground and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.<\/p>\n

Xi said both governments share the goals of promoting economic growth and improving living standards, and that their respective development efforts could complement and reinforce one another. He indicated that cooperation in trade, investment, finance, technology, green development and other practical areas could deliver tangible benefits to people in both countries.<\/p>\n

As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global economies, China and the UK both support multilateralism, open trade and the central role of the United Nations, Xi said. He called for stronger coordination in the UN, G20 and World Trade Organization and urged the two countries to work together toward an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.<\/p>\n

During the conversation, Burnham said the UK would maintain consistency in its China policy and remain committed to building a long-term and stable strategic partnership with Beijing. According to the Chinese readout, he expressed support for increased high-level exchanges, broader practical cooperation and stronger people-to-people ties, while also stating that the UK\u2019s position on the Taiwan question remains unchanged.<\/p>\n

Burnham also referred to his long-standing connection with China from his time as mayor of Greater Manchester. He recalled Xi\u2019s visit to Manchester during the Chinese president\u2019s 2015 State Visit to the UK and the positive impact it had on relations between the city and China.<\/p>\n

China and the UK declared a \u201cgolden era\u201d in bilateral relations in 2015, when their ties were at one point viewed as an important driver of broader China\u2013Europe relations. In subsequent years, particularly after Brexit, political and security tensions increased, although trade, investment and financial links remained comparatively resilient.<\/p>\n

Chinese analysts quoted in the original report said the UK now appears to be seeking greater stability and pragmatism in its China policy while preserving more room for strategic maneuver. They argued that economic pressures, changes in global trade and supply chains, and Britain\u2019s desire for greater strategic autonomy make sustained engagement with China increasingly important.<\/p>\n

Xi also expressed hope that the UK would fully protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese investors. The issue has gained attention following the British government\u2019s nationalization of British Steel, a subsidiary of China\u2019s Jingye Group, a move that drew strong criticism from China\u2019s Ministry of Commerce.<\/p>\n

Analysts said future China\u2013UK relations are likely to feature both competition and cooperation. Political mistrust and occasional friction may persist, but significant room for cooperation remains in green finance, biomedicine, advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, basic research, trade and investment.<\/p>\n

The Xi\u2013Burnham phone conversation indicated that both sides are seeking to manage political differences while expanding economic and practical cooperation. Their shared emphasis on multilateralism, open trade and global governance could provide further momentum for efforts to place China\u2013UK relations on a more stable and pragmatic track.<\/p>\n

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