INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Boris Johnson told the Chinese president in a telephone call on Tuesday that he "loves China" and wants to work with Beijing to lift
bilateral relations to a new level.The prime minister and Xi Jinping also spoke about fighting "shoulder to shoulder" against the deadly
coronavirus, known as COVID-19.China's ambassador to the UK gave Sky News exclusive details on the rare phone conversation between a British
prime minister and China's president - the first such call by Mr Johnson with President Xi.'China making sacrifice for global health
security'"They had a very good conversation," Ambassador Liu said in an interview at the Chinese embassy in London.He said the two men
discussed China's battle against COVID-19, and Mr Johnson "expressed a high appreciation of the efforts made by China".Mr Liu added: "They
also talked about how China and the UK can collaborate to fight shoulder to shoulder against this virus."On the UK-China relationship, the
leaders "talked about the relationship, how the two countries will strengthen this relationship for the next 10 years."The prime minister
also mentioned about the golden era and they reached broad consensus," he said.'COVID-19 more severe in men over 40'Ambassador Liu said Mr
Johnson told the Chinese president "he loves China and he wants to work with China, his administration, to elevate the relationship to a new
level"."President Xi also expressed our commitment to the relationship," he added.The pair also discussed a global conference on climate
change that the UK will host later this year.:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts,
Spotify, SpreakerThe prime minister told the Chinese president that he believes "there are a lot of opportunities for China and the UK to
work on the global agenda to address to address the global challenges like climate change".Ambassador Liu said: "It is a very good
It not only set the tone but also set the new direction for China-UK relations at a critical moment between China and the UK."Image:Xi
Jingping has had a tense relationship with Donald TrumpDowning Street also issued a statement about the telephone call.A spokesperson said
Mr Johnson "offered his sympathies for those affected by the outbreak of coronavirus in China"."President Xi thanked the UK for its support
and in particular welcomed the donation of vital medical equipment to China," they added.
