UK, Chinese foreign ministers discuss intention to build ‘constructive relationship’

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said he had spoken to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Tuesday and the pair discussed their “intention to have a constructive relationship.”

“The UK will continue to engage with China where it furthers our interests,” Cameron said in a post on X, adding that they had also discussed the situation in Israel and Gaza, and the war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s appointment of former British leader Cameron as foreign minister last month caused concern among some lawmakers in his Conservative Party about what it would mean for the government’s approach to China.

As prime minister, Cameron heralded a “golden era” in relations with China in 2015, something Sunak has said is over.

Sunak has instead sought to balance national security interests with better cooperation on trade and climate change.