On August 15, 2016, when meeting at request with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alok Sharma of the UK in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China-UK relations have maintained a sound momentum of development in recent years. President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK last year has ushered bilateral relations to a new historical stage. China is willing to work together with the new UK government to adhere to the general direction of bilateral relations set by the two sides, further deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and push forward China-UK global comprehensive strategic partnership in the 21st century. China welcomes Prime Minister Theresa May to attend the G20 Hangzhou Summit this September in China, and is willing to maintain communication and coordination with the UK side to ensure the complete success of the summit.

Alok Sharma expressed that the most important message he extended through his visit to China this time is that the UK attaches great importance to UK-China cooperation and regards China as an important global strategic partner. Last year, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to the UK, exerting milestone significance. Prime Minister Theresa May has sent a letter to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, expressing her anticipation of attending the G20 Summit held in Hangzhou this September. The UK supports China to host a successful summit and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in economic, trade and global affairs.

Wang Yi appreciated Alok Sharma's visit to China right after the establishment of the new government, and believed that the UK will continue to uphold a positive and open policy toward China. Further strengthening cooperation between China and the UK conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is conducive to world peace, stability and development.