Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the United Kingdom to provide a fair business environment for Chinese enterprises during high-level talks in Beijing on Tuesday. Wang made the demand at the 11th China-UK Strategic Dialogue with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The meeting followed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit earlier this year and aimed to translate political agreements into concrete outcomes. Both sides sought to advance a long-term comprehensive strategic partnership.
Wang stressed that exchanges and cooperation across all fields have fully resumed and are returning to normal. As permanent UN Security Council members, he argued, the two nations must uphold the postwar order and true multilateralism. He also urged joint efforts to build a more just global governance system. Cooper responded that the partnership holds great significance for both countries. She added that dialogue and cooperation are now more vital than ever given the turbulent international landscape.
Cooper reaffirmed that the UK’s Taiwan policy has not changed and will not change. Moreover, she expressed willingness to handle differences constructively and promote stable bilateral ties. Her visit, which runs through Wednesday, includes stops in Beijing and the technology hub of Shenzhen. Consequently, the trip signals Britain’s keen interest in deeper science and technology cooperation with China.
Economic and trade cooperation remains the cornerstone of the relationship. Wang insisted that a fair business environment is essential for deepening cooperation and fostering a sound atmosphere for bilateral ties. Bilateral trade has held steady in recent years, though global uncertainties make maintaining that scale increasingly difficult. Against this backdrop, both sides are exploring new growth areas, such as technology collaboration and climate response. Analysts note that Britain seeks a better understanding of China’s technological development and potential for future joint work.
The dialogue represents the most extensive senior foreign policy discussions since Labour took power, according to British media reports. The UK government sees engagement with major economies as key to protecting national security amid global instability. London insists it will cooperate where possible and challenge where necessary. Meanwhile, maintaining dialogue and expanding consensus with major countries contributes to international stability for China. The two sides identified climate change, artificial intelligence, and multilateral governance as likely areas for future cooperation. The fair business environment remains central to these evolving ties.
