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BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday (Aug 23) to discuss strengthening cooperation with the UK in the fields of finance, green economy and artificial intelligence, Chinese state media reported.
Xi Jinping also congratulated the Labour Party led by Starmer on its election July election victory According to Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese side said the call was made at the request of the United Kingdom.
There was no immediate confirmation or wider comment from London.
The Starmer government said in June it would conduct an audit of Britain’s relationship with China to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by Beijing.
During the previous Conservative government in Britain, relations came under considerable strain over the Hong Kong issue, allegations of human rights abuses in Britain and concerns about the involvement of Chinese companies in the provision of critical infrastructure.
In 2022, then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the end of the so-called “golden era” of Anglo-American relations championed by his predecessor David Cameron.
Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi Jinping told Starmer that he hoped “the British side would view China objectively and rationally.”
Xi also said, “China is willing to conduct dialogue with the UK on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment to enhance understanding and mutual trust,” Xinhua reported.
The Chinese leader also said he saw room for “expanding cooperation in finance, the green economy and artificial intelligence,” the report said.
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