On Saturday, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi told British Foreign Secretary David Lammy that China and the UK should respect each other's concerns, strengthen dialogue, and enhance mutual understanding based on equality.

During their meeting in Beijing, Wang noted the long history of cooperation between the two nations and highlighted the positive atmosphere for continued exchange and collaboration.

"China agrees to fully restore the dialogue and cooperation mechanism in various fields between the two countries and actively carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, finance, green development, science and technology, health, education and humanities," Wang said, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Wang conveyed Beijing's readiness to continue collaborating with the UK on the agreements made by the leaders of both nations in August of this year.

"The world is facing unprecedented challenges, and competition among major powers should not be the background color of this era," he said.

Lammy: UK committed to strengthening dialogue with China

For his part, Lammy said the British government was committed to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with China and effectively managing differences in a consistent, mutually respectful manner in the long-term interests of both sides.

"The UK has adhered to its commitments made when establishing diplomatic relations on the Taiwan issue," Lammy said, adding that this would continue.

The two senior officials also discussed key global issues, including the war in Ukraine, the war on Gaza, and the ongoing situation in Myanmar.

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This comes in light of heightened tensions between China and Western nations over multiple geopolitical issues, signaling an ongoing diplomatic standoff.

China denounces external interference

In a joint statement released following the September 2024 UK-US Strategic Dialogue, the US and the UK expressed shared concerns about China's actions in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly regarding the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to upholding international law and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The statement also condemned destabilizing actions by China and underscored the need for cooperation to counter threats from alleged disinformation and coercion in the region​ 

In response, China expressed concern and its dissatisfaction with external interference in what its sovereign affairs.

Beijing reiterated its stance that issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan are internal matters and warned against Western interference.

China’s leadership stressed the importance of non-intervention and called for dialogue based on mutual respect to avoid escalating tensions further 

Read more: Chinese embassy slams UK-US statement as 'groundless accusations'