On 17 March, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming had a telephone conversation with David Quarrey, UK Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser and Deputy National Security Adviser, and exchanged views with him on China-UK relations and issues of common interests.

Ambassador Liu mentioned the recent telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson in which they reached important agreement on promoting China-UK relationship, and mapped out the direction and defined the mission for the development of the bilateral relations between the two countries. Ambassador Liu hoped that both China and the UK could take the opportunity to enhance high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in investment, trade and infrastructure, enhance international collaboration, and uphold free trade and multilateralism, so as to achieve a steady development of China-UK “Golden Era”.

Ambassador Liu pointed out that under the direct leadership of President Xi Jinping and thanks to the massive efforts of all Chinese people, China has achieved positive results in epidemic prevention and control, and accelerated the resumption of normal economic activities and social order. China is deeply grateful for the sympathy, support and aid from the British Royal Family, government and people from all walks of life. The virus is a common enemy of mankind and the most urgent task for the international community now is to enhance cooperation and stand together hand in hand. In the spirit of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China stands ready to share information and experience in a timely manner with the UK, speed up the cooperation in medical research and vaccine development, and provide assistance to the UK to the best of our ability.

Quarrey said that Prime Minister Johnson and President Xi had a productive telephone conversation and agreed to stay committed to deepening the mutually beneficial cooperation between the UK and China. The UK is ready to work closely with China to deliver on the agreement between the two leaders, strengthen high-level communication and various dialogue mechanisms. The UK adheres to open cooperation and welcomes businesses and investment from China. This year, the UK will host COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and China will host COP15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Both sides should seize these opportunities to enhance coordination and cooperation, so as to make joint contribution to tackling climate change.

Quarrey said that the UK highly appreciates China’s comprehensive and effective measures in containing and slowing down the spread of the virus, and sharing information and experience with the international community in a timely fashion. The UK is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation with China on combating covid-19 and promote global public health collaboration under such frameworks as G20, he said. He also expressed the hope that the two countries strengthen coordination in responding appropriately to the negative impact of the epidemic on the global economy.