China's Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang used a speech to British MPs and Lords to stress the importance of upholding mutual respect between London and Beijing in order to build further cooperation between the two nations.

Ambassador Zheng was speaking at a reception of the All Party Parliamentary China Group (APPCG) and the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), where more than 120 guests were in attendance, including representatives from British government departments, as well as other key sectors in the UK economy.

China was embarking on a new journey of "national rejuvenation," Zheng said, and this would follow a China-specific model.

He added that while some people in the UK had chosen to characterize this as a "challenge" or even "threat," he stressed that this did not reflect reality.

READ MORE

Record spacewalk, hidden mantis, 6-day wildfire: China Quick Take

'We need to adapt': El Nino's arrival set to bring record temperatures

88-year-old hopes to windsurf into the world record books

Instead, Zheng said China's growth would only bring shared opportunities for common development, adding that countries should respect each others' sovereignty, territorial integrity and development paths.

He added that in the face of global tensions, the UK had once been the lead among Western countries when it came to relations with China, warning that it should not lag behind now.

China and the UK need to work in the same direction, he said, to bring sustained and healthy development of their bilateral ties.

The Chinese ambassador attended the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the UK Chinese Business Association, where he congratulated the body for its involvement in the long-term development of China-UK relations.

Nearly 350 guests from the Chinese and British political and business sectors attended the event, which also saw the Inauguration Ceremony of the Third Council. Those in attendance included UKCBA Chairman Zhang Jinlong, Chair of the Institute of Directors Pola Uddin, MP Mark Logan, and Minister Counsellor Jiang Lei among others. 

Ambassador Zheng used his speech at the celebration to recognize the UKCBA's contributions to uniting Chinese businesses and promoting cooperation in trade, culture and other areas between China and the UK.

Zheng noted that for more than half a century, China and the UK had made enormous achievements in mutual exchanges and cooperation.

He again stressed that the two countries should work in the same direction on the basis of mutual respect.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday