Liu Jianchao Meets with Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK
 ( 2023.04.12 )

Beijing, April 11th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK.

Liu said that China has always viewed China-UK relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. Both China and the UK are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and countries with significant international influence. The two countries have strong economic complementarities and broad prospects for cooperation in trade, investment, financial services, education, culture and other fields. China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development, and for countries including the UK, China brings opportunities rather than challenges. The CPC is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with the major political parties in the UK through the platforms such as the China-UK Leadership Forum, clarify the goals and direction of China-UK relations, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-UK and China-Europe relations.

Barton said that the UK government pursues a policy of engagement with China and is willing to develop a constructive and stable relationship with China. Although there are some differences between the two sides, there is also a wide range of common interests. Both sides can play the role of permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and strengthen communication on issues such as international peace and stability, and climate change. The UK side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side in the fields including economy, trade, and finance.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues such as the Ukraine crisis.

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