China, UK can 'meet half way' on areas of concern

China and the United Kingdom should strengthen strategic communications and advance the sound, mutually beneficial, steady and sustainable development of bilateral ties, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks during a phone conversation with his UK counterpart Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Ministry said in a news release.

China and the UK are both major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and both shoulder important responsibilities for maintaining world peace, stability and development, Wang said.

China firmly upholds the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the leading role the UN plays in the international system, Wang said.

China respects all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity, and believes that disputes should be addressed peacefully, he said.

China also supports global free trade and the World Trade Organization's rules to ensure stable global supply chains, Wang added.

The UK holds a position that is generally the same as China on these major issues, he said, adding that China stands ready to work with the UK to jointly tackle global challenges and promote world peace and development.

It's normal for China and the UK to have differences, but both sides should follow the principle of mutual respect, try to enhance mutual understanding and ensure bilateral ties are stable, Wang said.

He called on the two countries to "keep a clear head in the face of distractions that occur from time to time", and address them actively and properly.

Cooper, for her part, said the UK and China share many interests.

The UK values greatly its ties with China, she said, adding that it hopes to strengthen high-level exchanges with China and expand bilateral cooperation on security, development and the environment.

The UK and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council and supporters of multilateralism, need to maintain regular strategic communications, and jointly address climate change and other global challenges, Cooper said.

They should work together to uphold the purposes and spirits of the UN Charter, global free trade and the multilateral system, she added.

Wang reiterated China's position on accelerating efforts to settle the urgent issues that affect bilateral ties.

Both sides agreed to meet each other half way and address each other's reasonable concerns in a reciprocal manner.