UK Foreign Secretary Visits China, Talks Touch on Taiwan
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited China from June 1-3, meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang elaborated on Beijing's stance on issues including Taiwan and Hong Kong. Cooper stated that the UK's policy on Taiwan has not changed since the establishment of diplomatic relations and will not change.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 02:35
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(Central News Agency, London, 2nd June, exclusive) UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited China from June 1-3, during which she met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. According to information released by the Chinese side, Wang Yi elaborated on Beijing's position on issues such as Taiwan and Hong Kong. Cooper stated that the UK's policy on Taiwan has not changed since the establishment of diplomatic relations and will not change.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that Cooper and Wang Yi held the 11th UK-China Strategic Dialogue in Beijing on the 2nd. Wang Yi stated that exchanges and cooperation between the UK and China in various fields have 'fully recovered' and that high-level exchanges should be further strengthened to promote more tangible results.
Wang Yi mentioned that the international community is undergoing the most profound turmoil and transformation since the end of the Cold War. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the UK and China should take the lead in 'following the right path,' safeguarding 'the fruits of victory in World War II,' and adhering to 'true multilateralism.' Wang Yi also explained China's position on issues such as Taiwan and Hong Kong.
According to Chinese sources, Cooper stated that when UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China in January, the leaders of both sides confirmed the construction of a long-term, stable, comprehensive strategic partnership between the UK and China, a positioning that is 'fully in the interests of both sides.' The UK side expressed a desire to promote closer high-level exchanges, advance institutional dialogue, deepen cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, finance, energy, artificial intelligence, and climate change, and continue to handle differences constructively. Cooper stated that the UK's policy on Taiwan has not changed and will not change.
The two sides also discussed issues such as Iran and Ukraine.
The UK and China held the 10th Strategic Dialogue in London in February last year. The 9th Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing in July 2018, with a gap of nearly seven years between the two dialogues.
During the 9th UK-China Strategic Dialogue, the UK was still under a Conservative government. However, around 2019, relations between the UK and China became tense over issues such as Hong Kong and national security. It was not until the UK Labour Party came to power in July 2024 and promoted the stabilization and 'normalization' of relations with China that the UK-China Strategic Dialogue was resumed last year.
Cooper also met with Han Zheng on the 2nd. On the 3rd, she will travel to Shenzhen to attend a science and technology conference. After concluding her visit to China, Cooper will travel to India for talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The UK Foreign Office has not yet officially released the itinerary or meeting minutes related to Cooper's visit to China. (Editor: Hong Qiyuan) 1150603
The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that Cooper and Wang Yi held the 11th UK-China Strategic Dialogue in Beijing on the 2nd. Wang Yi stated that exchanges and cooperation between the UK and China in various fields have 'fully recovered' and that high-level exchanges should be further strengthened to promote more tangible results.
Wang Yi mentioned that the international community is undergoing the most profound turmoil and transformation since the end of the Cold War. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the UK and China should take the lead in 'following the right path,' safeguarding 'the fruits of victory in World War II,' and adhering to 'true multilateralism.' Wang Yi also explained China's position on issues such as Taiwan and Hong Kong.
According to Chinese sources, Cooper stated that when UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China in January, the leaders of both sides confirmed the construction of a long-term, stable, comprehensive strategic partnership between the UK and China, a positioning that is 'fully in the interests of both sides.' The UK side expressed a desire to promote closer high-level exchanges, advance institutional dialogue, deepen cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, finance, energy, artificial intelligence, and climate change, and continue to handle differences constructively. Cooper stated that the UK's policy on Taiwan has not changed and will not change.
The two sides also discussed issues such as Iran and Ukraine.
The UK and China held the 10th Strategic Dialogue in London in February last year. The 9th Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing in July 2018, with a gap of nearly seven years between the two dialogues.
During the 9th UK-China Strategic Dialogue, the UK was still under a Conservative government. However, around 2019, relations between the UK and China became tense over issues such as Hong Kong and national security. It was not until the UK Labour Party came to power in July 2024 and promoted the stabilization and 'normalization' of relations with China that the UK-China Strategic Dialogue was resumed last year.
Cooper also met with Han Zheng on the 2nd. On the 3rd, she will travel to Shenzhen to attend a science and technology conference. After concluding her visit to China, Cooper will travel to India for talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The UK Foreign Office has not yet officially released the itinerary or meeting minutes related to Cooper's visit to China. (Editor: Hong Qiyuan) 1150603