Xi Jinping Speaks by Phone with British Prime Minister Burnham

On the evening of September 8, President Xi Jinping held a phone call, at the latter’s request, with British Prime Minister Burnham. The two sides exchanged views on ChinaUK relations, economic and trade cooperation, multilateral affairs, and global challenges. Xi said that China and the UK, as comprehensive strategic partners, have broad common interests despite differences in systems and national conditions. The two sides should enhance mutual trust, properly handle disagreements, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. He noted that during the 15th FiveYear Plan period, China will further open up in areas such as education, healthcare, and finance, and welcomed both sides to strengthen exchanges in science and technology, education, culture, and sports, while expressing hope that the UK side will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors. Burnham said the UK side is willing to maintain the continuity of its China policy, promote the stable development of bilateral relations, expand highlevel exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and promote peopletopeople exchanges. The two sides also said they are willing to strengthen communication and coordination within frameworks such as the United Nations, the Group of Twenty, and the World Trade Organization, jointly address global issues such as climate change, and uphold world stability and prosperity.