U.K.-China relations will stay strong despite Britain's decision to ditch its EU membership. (Photo : Reuters)
China's relationship with the U.K. will remain resilient amid Britain's decision to leave the European Union.
The statement came from Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the U.K., who was at the Young Icebreakers 8th Annual Dinner on June 30, Thursday.
"[China] values its relations with the U.K. This position remains unchanged whether the U.K. is in the EU or out of the EU; we will take strategic long-term perspective," Liu was quoted as saying by China Daily.
"China and the U.K. are countries of global influence," Liu added. "A healthy, stable and win-win partnership between China and the U.K. serves not just the fundamental interests of our two peoples but also peace and prosperity of the world."
Business-specific deals between the two economies are also expected to remain stable.
"Given the immediate market fluctuations and uncertainties, Chinese businesses will inevitably need to be more prudent and stay cool-headed. But in the long run there is no way our bilateral collaboration should be allowed to go down," Liu said.
The ambassador added that being two of the world's largest economies, China and the U.K. have a lot of opportunities to offer each other.
The recently launched China-U.K. direct flights solidify efforts to strengthen ties of the two nations. Hainan Airlines and Tianjin Airlines will operate the two new direct flights.
"It is also our hope that China and the U.K. will reinforce our cooperation on serious global issues including sustainable development, counter-terrorism, anti-corruption, anti-microbial resistance, etc.," Liu said. "China and the U.K. working together have a great deal to contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the world, and sustainable deployment of the world."
The U.K has voted recently to cut off ties with the EU, sparking concerns over its implications on international trade and other relations.
For analysts, Brexit could bring huge risks to China.
"Inward investment by China into the U.K. under the dialogue has been focused on infrastructure projects and I wouldn't expect that should change with Brexit, but on financial services projects with China, that's at significant risk now," said Andrew Naylor, an executive director at consultancy firm Cicero Group, in an interview with Reuters.
