British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke by phone with Chinese President 
Xi Jinping on the morning of September 8, London time, their first call since Burnham took office on July 20. Downing Street's readout said the two countries intend to work toward a long-term, consistent "comprehensive strategic partnership." A Downing Street spokesperson, describing both as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major world economies, said the leaders discussed the importance of "pragmatic cooperation" in advancing their interests and meeting shared global challenges.
What did Burnham say he would raise? Burnham said he would engage "frankly and constructively" with China and raise British concerns over domestic security, Russia's war, Hong Kong, human rights and "consular cases of particular importance." Those cases may include that of Jimmy Lai, the Next Media founder sentenced by a Hong Kong court in February to 20 years on national-security charges, Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) reported. Lai is a British citizen, and Beijing has so far refused Britain consular access to him. Burnham also offered Xi "sincere condolences" over deadly floods on the "Nepal-China border," where an August 26 landslide and flood left more than 30 Britons missing, and thanked China for its rescue work and support.
How did Beijing describe the call? In the Chinese readout, Xi called the two countries "comprehensive strategic partners" whose "common interests outweigh differences" despite different social systems and national conditions, and said both should "make the pie of mutually beneficial cooperation bigger." He also said he hoped Britain would "fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors." In mid-July Britain took the poorly run British Steel under state management, angering its former owner, China's Jingye Group, which threatened legal action, CNA reported.
Beijing's account quoted Burnham citing "years of friendly exchanges" with China as Mayor of Greater Manchester, recalling that Xi visited Manchester on his 2015 state visit, and saying Britain was willing to keep its China policy consistent and "restore bilateral relations to their historic high." It also said Burnham told Xi that Britain's position on Taiwan had not changed; the British readout did not mention Taiwan.
What comes next? The leaders agreed to stay in touch, with their governments continuing dialogue on a range of "shared priorities," the British readout said. Britain hosts the G20 summit next year, expected in Manchester, and China is a G20 member. Keir Starmer, Burnham's Labour predecessor, said early this year he would welcome Xi visiting in 2027 for the summit, CNA reported.
Figures referenced: Xi Jinping. — JudgeMarket.
