Andy Burnham eyes expanding support for fan-owned sports clubs

China's President Xi Jinping urged British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday to deepen cooperation between their countries, emphasizing shared interests and the importance of mutual trust and respect. Xi highlighted China and the UK as major technological powers with valuable resources in education, culture, and sports, advocating for open and forward-thinking approaches to strengthening exchanges and cooperation across various fields.

He also called on the UK to collaborate with China as a fellow major economy and permanent UN Security Council member, promoting multilateralism, free trade, and an equitable multipolar world. Burnham, who succeeded Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader on July 20, welcomed the call and expressed the UK's commitment to maintaining its China policy, fostering a long-term stable strategic partnership, and restoring bilateral relations to their highest level.

During the call, Burnham underscored the UK's willingness to address shared global challenges, such as climate change, through dialogue and cooperation as permanent UN Security Council members. Both leaders discussed the importance of pragmatic cooperation in advancing their interests and tackling common global issues, including the Ukraine war, Hong Kong, and human rights concerns.

Burnham pledged to engage openly and constructively on matters affecting both nations. Despite past tensions, such as the ban on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and counter-sanctions over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Britain has been working to strengthen trade ties with China since Starmer took office in 2024. Starmer became the first British prime minister to visit China since 2018, resulting in a long-term strategic partnership agreement and the reduction of tariffs on Scotch whisky, among other agreements.