China and Britain should work together to ensure Brexit allows stronger ties to develop between the two nations, Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said.

"Against the backdrop of Brexit, a 'global Britain' will create new opportunities for China-UK relations," he said.

Amid an escalating trade conflict with the United States, Liu told an audience at Asia House in London, that the UK could be an ally against protectionism. 

"China and the UK have complementary strength in development model, industrial structure, and science, technology and innovation. We have consensus on supporting free trade and advocating multilateralism," Liu said, "We should foster a fair, just, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for the companies of our two countries to make investment and set up businesses."

Liu reiterated that China and the UK should join hands in the three aspects: promoting openness in the world economy, promoting reform in the global governance system, and promoting lasting peace and universal security in the world.

The two countries should also adopt a global vision and enhance coordination on international affairs, Liu said.

"We should jointly make a new contribution to world peace, stability, development and prosperity," Liu added. "In particular, China and the UK should stand up against the headwind of protectionism and unilateralism."

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of a China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of chargé d'affaires.

"In the past 65 years, from chargé-d'affaires level to ambassadorial diplomatic relationship, from the smooth handover of Hong Kong to establishing the global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century, the China-UK relationship has achieved remarkable progress despite wind and rain," Liu added. 

He said in face of the changes and chaos in the world, China and the UK, as major countries of global influence, should shoulder their responsibilities for history and for all mankind.

Ambassador Liu Xiaoming also wrote a signed article for the UK's The Politics First magazine to summarize the "invaluable lessons of 65 years of China-UK relations". He listed the "5Rs" - "respect", "reciprocity", "responsibility", "recognition" and "resolving disputes" - as five important lesson for China-UK relations.

"Going forward, China and the UK should cherish the outcomes of 65 years of relations, learn the five important lessons, and work to ensure that China-UK relations go steady and far in the 21century," Liu said.