China and Britain should “strengthen exchanges and cooperation,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his British counterpart on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Xinhua news agency reported. SATURDAY.
Beijing and London have clashed in recent months over allegations of human rights abuses and espionage.
China's Foreign Ministry announced last month that it had sentenced a Briton to prison for espionage, and had previously protested against Britain's support for pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
On Friday, Mr Wang told David Cameron that the two countries should “strengthen their strategic communications and play their roles in promoting security and maintaining peace”, Xinhua said.
The world faces challenges, Wang said, including “the resurgence of a Cold War mentality, rampant protectionism and a faltering economic recovery.”
Faced with these challenges, the two countries must “strengthen exchanges and cooperation and put bilateral relations back on the path of healthy and stable development.”
Mr. Wang also met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday and held what the Chinese Foreign Ministry called “candid, substantive and constructive discussions” with him.
On Saturday he is also scheduled to give a speech at the Munich conference, which brings together high-ranking diplomats and military officials from many countries every year and is particularly considered a barometer for transatlantic relations.