UK: For Min Wang Holds Call With UK's Truss, Takes Upbeat Tone Afterwards

Wires and social media stating that China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a call earlier today with his UK counterpart Liz Truss.

• Following the call the Ministry stated that Wang called for China and the UK to 'maintain strategic communications'.
• Relations between the UK and China have in recent times proved frosty:
  • The offer from former UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab of a 'pathway to UK citizenship' for Hong Kong nationals holding British Overseas passports following the implementation of the National Security Law caused significant anger in Beijing, with the CCP accusing the UK of meddling in internal Chinese affairs.
  • The UK agreeing to, then pulling back from a deal to allow Chinese firm Huawei to build the UK's 5G tech infrastructure caused consternation in Beijing.
  • The formation of the Australia-UK-US 'AUKUS' military alliance - specifically intended to counter Chinese military influence in the Indo-Pacific - will be seen as a direct threat in Beijing.
• Despite these incidents, Wang stated after the call that he and Truss discussed 'broad prospects for cooperation in modern financial services, clean energy and digital economy', taking what appears to be a relatively upbeat tone.