China’s Li congratulates Andy Burnham on becoming Britain’s new prime minister

Chinese ⁠Premier ⁠Li Qiang on Monday extended congratulations to Andy Burnham on ‌becoming Britain’s new prime minister.

Strengthening dialogue and cooperation between ⁠China and Britain will benefit ‌the two countries and “inject stability into global ‌peace”, Li said in ⁠his ⁠message, Reuters reported.

“I am willing to ‌work with the prime minister ‌to strengthen exchanges, ‌enhance mutual ‌trust, promote communication and cooperation, ⁠and advance the long-term, ⁠stable comprehensive strategic partnership” between the two countries, ‌Li ‌added.

In his first call to the US president, Burnham assured ⁠Donald Trump that London would be committed to defence and security and would help ‌support the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Burnham’s office said in a statement on Monday.

“The prime minister … underlined his commitment to ⁠defence and security and said ensuring the ‌security of the UK and its allies was at the top ‌of his agenda,” a Downing ⁠Street spokesperson ⁠said in a readout of the call, ‌which took place soon after Burnham became prime minister.

“The ‌president then ‌updated on the situation in ‌the Middle East and the prime ⁠minister outlined the UK’s commitment to securing the ⁠movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global ‌supply chains ‌and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country.”