China is willing to become a partner of a "Global Britain," Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab during a phone conversation on Thursday.  

Relations between China and the United Kingdom have a profound foundation with strong momentum, and China has always attached importance to the UK's international status and the role it plays, Wang said.  

Acknowledging there are differences between the two countries since they have different histories, cultures, stages of development and perspectives, he stressed the importance of mutual respect and equal dialogue so as to improve mutual understanding, dispel doubts, clarify facts and tell right from wrong.  

"Microphone diplomacy" is not advisable, the Chinese foreign minister said, adding that "group politics" fails to be in line with the times.  

Wang also elaborated on China's principled position on issues related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang, stressing that the "one country, two systems" is China's basic national policy that it will unswervingly and consistently adhere to. 

Xinjiang-related issues are in essence about countering violent terrorism, separatism and radicalization, he said, adding that while the Chinese side welcomes foreign visitors to Xinjiang to learn about the real situation there, it does not accept a so-called "investigation" based on the presumption of guilt. 

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Raab said the UK is willing to improve exchanges and rational communication with China and to define the bilateral ties by cooperation instead of differences.  

The UK is ready to boost coordination and cooperation with the Chinese in such fields as public health, the Belt and Road Initiative, trade and climate change, he said.

According to a read-out from the UK Foreign Office, "The Foreign Ministers also discussed a range of foreign policy issues, including the situation in Myanmar, Iran and North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea)." The call ended on an agreement to work together on various global opportunities, including the protection of biodiversity, the read-out said.