British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China is in the interest of both countries and will contribute to peace and stability around the world, Guo Jiakun, a spokesman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Wednesday in Beijing.
At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Starmer is paying an official visit to China from Jan. 28 to 31.
"The current international situation is characterized by complex and volatile changes. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the UK maintaining communication and strengthening cooperation is in the common interest of both peoples, and conducive to promoting world peace, stability and development. Prime Minister Starmer's visit to China is the first by a British prime minister in eight years. During the visit, Chinese leaders will hold talks and meetings with him, and have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern. Prime Minister Starmer will also visit Shanghai," said Guo.
"China is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust with the UK, deepen practical cooperation, jointly open a new chapter in the healthy and stable development of China-UK relations, and work together to make due efforts and contributions to world peace, security, and stability," he said.
UK PM's visit to China serves interests of both countries
China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Beijing on Tuesday.
Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that China stands ready to work with Tajikistan to strengthen cooperation across multiple key areas.
Taking the important consensus reached by the two heads of state as the fundamental guideline, Zhao said the two sides should aim to deepen strategic mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, promote high-quality development of China-Central Asia cooperation, and build a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, solidarity, and mutual benefit and win-win results.
Zhao said China's NPC is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the parliament of Tajikistan to provide a legal guarantee for the long-term healthy and stable development of China-Tajikistan relations.
Rahmon said Tajikistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and fully supports the four major global initiatives put forward by China.
He said Tajikistan is glad to see the great achievements China has made in its modernization drive, and is ready to strengthen practical cooperation with China in various fields such as politics, economy and culture, deepen exchanges between legislative bodies, and continuously enhance the friendly feelings between the two peoples.
On Tuesday morning, Rahmon laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes.
Rahmon is paying a state visit to China from from Monday to Thursday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China's top legislator meets Tajik president
