China is ready to work with Britain, Xi Jinping says in message congratulating King Charles on coronation

The message comes as Britain’s leaders try to reset the relationship with Beijing after years of heightened tensions

Earlier vice-president Han Zheng met Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who has said Britain must engage with China despite domestic calls for a tougher line

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Xi Jinping told the newly crowned British monarch both countries and the rest of the world could benefit from better relations. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:00pm, 6 May 2023Updated: 9:42pm, 6 May 2023

China is ready to work with Britain to enhance their friendship, President Xi Jinping has said in a message of congratulation to the newly crowned King Charles.

The message, sent by Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan, also said China is ready to work with Britain to develop a stable and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.

Britain’s current government is seeking to reset the relationship with China after years of growing tensions.

A few years ago, then British prime minister David Cameron hailed a “golden era” in relations between the two countries, but since then disagreements on issues such as human rights, security and the crackdown on the Hong Kong protest movement have brought the relationship to the lowest point in decades.

Xi’s message said the world is undergoing “profound and complex transformations”, and the international community is faced with many unprecedented challenges, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Xi also noted that the two countries, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should “take a long-term and strategic view to jointly promote the historical trend of peace, development, cooperation and win-win situations”.

Chinese vice-president Han Zheng arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of Saturday’s coronation service. Photo: AP