It is natural that China and the United Kingdom should have differences. But there is no reason why they should let those differences get in the way of cooperative relations, which are in the interests of both countries.

The two countries maintaining amicable bilateral relations is of particular significance at the present time as finding common ground on which to work together they can make meaningful contributions to help tackle the many pressing global challenges.

Both countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and their cooperation and coordination on international issues of concern would give global governance a much-needed boost.

Sound economic relations would also be beneficial to the development of the global economy, and together they could help maintain the integrity and stability of global supply and industry chains.

Past experience has shown that to prevent their differences being unnecessarily frictional and a hindrance to cooperation, communication matters.

As Foreign Minister Wang Yi told David Cameron, British secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development affairs, in their talks by telephone on Tuesday, in the face of the chaotic international situation and endless global challenges, the two countries should maintain communication and dialogue to strengthen their coordination and deepen their cooperation.

He urged the UK to establish a correct understanding of China's foreign policies, which are committed to peaceful development and global stability, and grasp the general direction of the development of China-UK relations.

Underscoring that China maintains continuity in its foreign policy, Wang said it is China's long-lasting stand to develop amicable relations with all countries on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to uphold multilateralism and free trade and oppose unilateral bullying and protectionism.

As far as China-UK relations are concerned, there are no serious differences that should make it impossible for the two countries to develop good relations. The total trade volume between the two countries was more than 1 trillion yuan ($139.72 billion) last year, and China became the second-largest trading partner of the UK.

Just as Cameron said, no single country can tackle global challenges alone, and the engagement and cooperation between the UK and China serves the interests of both sides. It is to be hoped that sentiment can be translated into corresponding actions.