China and Britain made progress towards reconciliation on Friday, with Beijing welcoming the new Labour government’s initiative to foster “pragmatic” bilateral relations as a “new starting point.”

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is the second senior U.K. diplomat to visit China in the past six years, and his visit aims to illustrate Britain’s strategic commitment to enhancing ties with Beijing, despite existing significant disagreements.

“China-Britain relations … have now reached a new starting point,” stated Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during discussions with his British counterpart at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. He emphasized that “competition among major powers should not define this era.”

Lammy highlighted the potential for “mutually beneficial cooperation” in sectors such as climate change, energy, science, trade, and technology, while also noting that Britain will prioritize its national interests and security.

Beijing and London must demonstrate that nations with diverse histories and perspectives can still arrive at practical solutions to intricate challenges, he stated.

The Labour government, which took office in July, aims to convey its commitment to engaging with China, seeking a balance between cooperation on economic and global issues while addressing concerns regarding Beijing’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Wang remarked that Beijing views Labour’s new approach to fostering relations as “positive” since it aligns with the current requirements of the bilateral relationship.

Lammy is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who oversees science and technology, in Beijing on Friday, followed by a trip to Shanghai to engage with British businesses operating in China on Saturday.

Prior to the visit, Lammy emphasized that engagement with China is “essential to support UK and global interests,” expressing his intention to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the global green transition with his counterpart.

Lammy’s visit is not anticipated to result in significant diplomatic agreements. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, indicated that the discussions will concentrate on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.

The previous British administration experienced strained relations with China due to disputes over human rights, issues in Hong Kong, and accusations of Chinese espionage. Earlier this year, Britain expressed serious concerns following a Reuters report that Russia had initiated a weapons program in China aimed at developing long-range attack drones for deployment in the conflict in Ukraine.

Over the past decade, Britain has undergone substantial changes in its stance towards China, transitioning from aspirations to be its strongest supporter in Europe to becoming one of its most vocal critics, and now, under the new Labour government, is attempting to mend ties.

The Labour government has initiated a comprehensive review of the U.K.-China relationship and has pledged to adopt a “clear-eyed” perspective regarding China, particularly in light of allegations surrounding Chinese cyberhacking and espionage activities within the U.K.

Simultaneously, China is grappling with deteriorating relations with the European Union due to various trade defense measures, as well as contentious interactions with the United States. According to British government statistics, China ranks as Britain’s sixth-largest trading partner, representing 5% of the nation’s total trade.