STORY: China-UK cooperation serves interests of both countries and world: ambassador
SHOOTING TIME: July 25, 2024
DATELINE: July 28, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:48
LOCATION: London
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the reception celebrating the 97th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China
2. various of the Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang
3. various of Defence Attache Major General Feng Min
4. SOUNDBITE (English): MICK SMEATH, Air Vice-Marshal from British Ministry of Defence

STORYLINE:

China and the United Kingdom (UK) cooperating together serves the interests of both countries and the world, said Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang on Thursday.

Zheng made the remarks at a reception held by the Chinese Embassy in the UK to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China.

"The right approach to the bilateral relationship has always been to respect each other, strengthen engagement and cooperation, manage differences properly, and face challenges together," stressed the ambassador.

Noting that China attaches great importance to its relations with the UK, he added that the Chinese side is ready to work with the new British government for the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

Zheng said he hopes the two countries' militaries will increase dialogue and exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, avoid misjudgment, and always be a stabilizing factor in the overall China-UK relationship.

In her opening remarks, Defence Attache Major General Feng Min, who presided over the event, highlighted that China will continue to actively promote international security cooperation, work with other countries for regional security and stability, and jointly embrace peace and a bright future.

Air Vice-Marshal Mick Smeath from the British Ministry of Defence said that the military relationship is an important part of the China-UK overall relationship.

Recalling a fruitful talk held recently between the chiefs of the armed forces of the two sides, Smeath said those dialogues have been "exceptionally important." The UK and China will continue to enhance defense dialogue and communication, and work together to promote regional and global peace and stability.

SOUNDBITE (English): MICK SMEATH, Air Vice-Marshal from British Ministry of Defence
"We are two important nations on the world stage, and we have to promote peace and stability. I was very pleased to see that for the first time, our chiefs of our armed forces recently spoke and it was a very fruitful conversation. They will meet again hopefully in September at the strategic dialogue for defense. We will find common ground, we will look at where we can create peace and where we can create stability and where we can work together to make this world a better place."

Nearly 200 guests, including officials from the UK government and parliament, defense attaches and members of the diplomatic corps in the UK attended the reception.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from London.
(XHTV)