ANKARA

Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi told his British counterpart David Lammy that Beijing and London should respect each other's concerns, strengthen dialogue, and enhance understanding on the basis of equality.

Wang Yi met UK Foreign Secretary Lammy in Beijing late Friday after he arrived on his first two-day official visit to China.

The Chinese foreign minister said the two sides, with a long history of close cooperation, have created an atmosphere for exchange and cooperation.

"China agrees to fully restore the dialogue and cooperation mechanism in various fields between the two countries and actively carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, finance, green development, science and technology, health, education and humanities," Wang said, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Wang expressed Beijing's willingness to continue working with the UK on the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in August this year.

"The world is facing unprecedented challenges, and competition among major powers should not be the background color of this era," he said.

For his part, Lammy said the British government was committed to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with China and effectively managing differences in a consistent, mutually respectful manner in the long-term interests of both sides.

"The UK has adhered to its commitments made when establishing diplomatic relations on the Taiwan issue," Lammy said, adding that this would continue.

The two top officials also discussed the war in Ukraine, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the situation in Myanmar.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid