China seeks ‘cooperation’ from UK as top diplomats meet in Laos

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – ​​​​​​​China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, sought cooperation from the UK "to make progress together" during his first meeting with the new British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, on Friday.

Lammy was appointed earlier this month after the Labour Party registered an overwhelming victory in the British elections.

Wang Yi and Lammy met in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, which is hosting the annual meeting of top diplomats from the Southeast Asian regional bloc.

"China is willing to build a positive and stable bilateral framework with the UK and smooth the channels of communication," Wang told Lammy, according to a readout released by Beijing.

Pointing to the "mutual benefit and win-win situation" of China-UK relations, Wang said: "The two sides can complement each other's strengths and cooperate to make progress together."

"China is willing to work with the UK to develop a stable and mutually beneficial China-UK relationship, unleash the potential for cooperation, and help each other’s development," said the Chinese foreign minister.

Wang called on London to "establish a correct policy orientation, uphold a balanced, pragmatic, open, and cooperative attitude, and provide stable and positive expectations for all sectors of the two countries."

Emphasizing the importance of "properly managing differences," Wang stressed the need for "equality and mutual respect" in communication and exchanges.

He urged the UK to "provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies."

The annual trade volume between the two nations was approximately $116 billion last year.

Lammy expressed the UK's willingness to "maintain communication and exchanges with China to develop predictable, mutually respectful, and long-term stable UK-China relations," according to the statement from Beijing.

He also reaffirmed that the UK's position on the one-China policy had not changed.

Wang and Lammy discussed regional and international issues of common concern, including the war in Ukraine.