Beijing, January 29 (QNA) - China's President Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have agreed on the need to develop a long-term, stable and comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries, during talks in Beijing.

Xi said that amid growing global uncertainty, China and the UK — both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies — should strengthen dialogue and cooperation to help maintain global peace and stability, boost economic growth and improve living standards.

He called for mutual respect and for differences to be managed constructively, urging both sides to turn the potential for cooperation into tangible outcomes that benefit both nations and the wider world.

The Chinese leader also reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to peaceful development, saying China had never initiated a war or occupied foreign territory.

Starmer said he wanted to build a more developed relationship with China to support the UK economy, signaling a reset after years of strained ties. He described China as a vital global player and said the relationship should allow for cooperation alongside meaningful dialogue on areas of disagreement. (QNA)