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Holly Chik

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Britain’s new monarch on Saturday, saying he was ready to work with King Charles to increase understanding and friendship between the two countries.
Xi also said he was prepared to “expand friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation, and intensify communication on global issues”, state news agency Xinhua reported on Sunday.
Xi sent his condolences on Friday to the British royal family on the death of Queen Elizabeth, the longest-reigning British monarch.
He said the queen won wide acclaim, was the first British monarch to visit China and her death was a great loss to the British people.
In the condolence message, Xi said he attached great importance to bilateral relations and was ready to promote “the healthy and stable” development of China-British ties.


This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries but there have been setbacks.
Relations between China and the United Kingdom have worsened in recent years over a range of issues, from Hong Kong and human rights, to Huawei Technologies, the South China Sea and security.
Ties have been complicated by ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Britain summoned Chinese ambassador Zheng Zeguang last month over the People’s Liberation Army’s actions around Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit. And the UK is sending a parliamentary delegation to the island later this year.
Britain is also among a number of Western countries that pushed for the release of the United Nations Human Rights Office’s report that looked into allegations of “human rights violations” in Xinjiang by Chinese authorities.


Relations are unlikely to improve with the new British administration, analysts warned.
The new British prime minister, Liz Truss, is one of the harshest critics of China and has pledged to play tough on Beijing, describing it as a “threat” to Britain’s national security and vowing to contain its rise.
Truss is expected to maintain her country’s hawkish stance towards the Hong Kong government, political analysts have said, with a special UK citizenship path for migrants from the city likely to continue.


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China-UK relations

Xi Jinping congratulates King Charles, seeks to improve China-UK ties

King Charles delivers his address to the nation from Buckingham Palace in London on Friday. Photo: PA

Queen’s funeral set for September 19; heavy security planned ahead of first state funeral since 1965

An armed police officer stands guard in London on day two of public mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Britain’s police are making plans for security at her funeral. Photo: Bloomberg

Cards and flowers are laid out following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, in Balmoral, Scotland, UK on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Queen Elizabeth’s death mourned in China as Xi sends condolences to royal family

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Queen Elizabeth II attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2015. Photo: dpa

Queen Elizabeth on her coronation day in June 1953 (above) and acknowledging the crowd during her platinum jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022. Photo: AFP 

Mourners queue to pay tribute outside the British consulate in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

Queen Elizabeth visits the Terracotta Warriors at the mausoleum of the First Qin emperor, in China’s northwestern city of Xian in October 1986. Photo: Getty Images 

King Charles honours Queen Elizabeth in first televised address

Britain’s King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, look at the floral tributes left outside Buckingham Palace in London on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Britain’s Prince William, right, with his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge, and their children during Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday Parade celebration in June. Prince William will now become Prince of Wales as heir to the throne. Photo: AFP

Former prime minister Boris Johnson reading a tribute to Queen Elizabeth in the House of Commons on Friday. Photo: House of Commons/Press Association/AP

A well-wisher kisses the hand of Britain’s King Charles as he greeted members of the public outside Buckingham Palace on Friday: Photo: AP

News

China

Diplomacy


Chinese president says he is ready to work together on expanding cooperation
Message comes as countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations



Chinese president says he is ready to work together on expanding cooperation.


Xi Jinping congratulates King Charles, seeks to improve China-UK ties

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Chinese president says he is ready to work together on expanding cooperation Message comes as countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations

Chinese president says he is ready to work together on expanding cooperation

Message comes as countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations