Highlights of President Xi Jinping's written interview with Reuters

Sino-British relationship

Xi: China is ready to partner with the UK in the spirit of inclusiveness, opening up and seeking win-win progress through cooperation to upgrade and expand cooperation to deliver more benefits to our two peoples.

Chinese companies going global

Xi: The Chinese government supports Chinese companies in going global. But we believe that this process should be market-oriented, with companies being the main driver. The role of the Chinese government is to secure and create a favorable political environment and a fair legal framework for Chinese companies.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

Xi: The AIIB is an international financial institution whose rules of operation are decided by its members through consultation, not by China alone.... The relationship between the AIIB and existing multilateral development banks is a cooperative and complementary one....We are ready to work with the UK and all other prospective founding members to build the AIIB into a professional and efficient infra-structure financing platform to contribute to the development of Asia and beyond.

Global affairs

Xi: China has been stepping up efforts for world peace and development not because it wants to become a "world cop", even less to take anyone's place.... China has declared many times that it pursues a policy that is defensive in nature and will never seek hegemony, engage in expansion or impose its own will on others.

Climate change

Xi: Having said that, the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" does not exempt developing countries from contributing their share to the global response to climate change. It is only that such contribution should be in line with their capabilities and needs. ... China's submission to the UN of its nationally intended contributions is aimed at facilitating global climate governance, and also for the sake of China's own development.

South China Sea

Xi: With the joint efforts of all parties, the situation in the South China Sea has on the whole been stable .... China needs peace, security and stability in the South China Sea more than any other country. China would not want any turbulence there, still less would it be the party to stir up chaos. ... China will continue to work with its neighbors in the South China Sea to manage disputes through institutionalized dialogue, peacefully resolve disputes through negotiation and consultation, actively explore win-win results through cooperation and joint development, and safeguard the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by countries in accordance with international law.

Anti-corruption

Xi: Due to differences in legal systems between countries, some technical legal matters need to be worked through in international cooperation against corruption. This requires various parties to explore solutions together. In particular, anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies need to strengthen cooperation in investigation and information sharing in individual cases.

Economic growth

Xi: We will improve the rule of law in the commercial field, protect intellectual property rights, and promote fair competition. We will continue to promote the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and carry out international cooperation on production capacity.

Chinese soccer

Xi: My greatest expectation on Chinese soccer is for the Chinese team to be one of the best in the world and for soccer to play an important role in making people stronger in body and mind. We will find a new way forward for the sport to flourish in China that is both consistent with the general pattern of soccer development and fits well with Chinese conditions.