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China’s new envoy to Britain calls for reset in relations amid Hong Kong, Xinjiang tensions

  • Ambassador says opportunities for cooperation range from trade to Covid-19
  • Better ties between the two countries could improve relations with other powers, observer says

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Better ties between China and Britain could affect Beijing’s relations with other countries, an analyst says. Photo: Reuters
China’s new ambassador to Britain has called for a reset in relations between the two countries, with ties strained over criticism of Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
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In his first statement since taking office on Monday, Zheng Zeguang said China and Britain needed to “tackle their differences properly”.

“Our two sides may deepen cooperation in trade, finance, innovation, people-to-people exchanges and other fields, and step up coordination on global issues such as fighting Covid-19, spurring global recovery and tackling climate change,” Zheng was quoted by an embassy statement as saying.

“These are the kind of efforts needed to ensure that China-Britain relations will deliver more benefits to our peoples and contribute still more to world peace and common development.”

The two countries have been at odds over human rights, including the introduction of the national security law in Hong Kong last year, which prompted Britain to offer British National (Overseas) passports holders in the city a chance to apply for British citizenship.
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The two countries have also traded sanctions related to allegations of abuses in Xinjiang in China’s west, claims that Beijing rejects.

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