UK: Premier Li-China Hopes To Promote Stable, Healthy Relations w/UK

Chinese state media reporting comments from Premier Li Keqiang on China's relations with the UK.

• Says that he hopes to promote a stable and healthy relationship with the UK, and that the Chinese gov't is prepared to 'improve dialogue' between the two countries.
• Mirroring comments from President Xi Jinping yesterday following his call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, media reports Li stating that he hopes that the UK 'can provide fair, unbiased environment for Chinese companies investing in the UK'.
• On COVID-19, Li states that China is willing to step up exchanges on research, especially in relation to new variants of the virus.
• Li's comments come days after UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak delivered his annual Mansion House speech in the City of London, in which he said the UK needs a 'mature and balanced relationship' with China. He stated that the gov't would still confront China on alleged human rights issues but would still seek to increase trade, investment, and cooperation with the country, arguing that "Too often, the debate on China lacks nuance,". This more friendly rhetoric will be viewed favourably in Beijing, following a period of increasingly strained Sino-UK relations as the UK gov't raised issues of democratic and human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.