China's top legislator meets with British PM

BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Beijing on Thursday.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that as the world today is undergoing both changes and turbulence, developing sound China-Britain relations is of great contemporary value and global significance.

Noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping has maintained communication with Prime Minister Starmer through phone calls and meetings since the Labour Party government took office, steering bilateral relations onto a path of improvement and development, Zhao said China is willing to work with Britain to uphold the definition of bilateral ties as strategic partners and maintain a positive, pragmatic, stable and mutually beneficial direction in ties.

He called on the two sides to eliminate disruptions, properly manage differences and ensure the steady and enduring development of bilateral relations.

China stands ready to work with Britain to resume normal exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries, Zhao said, adding that China welcomes British parliamentarians to visit and experience a real, multi-dimensional and comprehensive China.

Starmer said Britain and China share broad common interests, and that Britain is willing to develop a long-term and consistent strategic partnership with China. He added that Britain's longstanding policy on the Taiwan question remains unchanged.

Starmer also expressed hope for the resumption of normal exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries. ■