China and the United Kingdom should leverage party-to-party exchanges to enhance the quality and efficiency of bilateral ties and advance their comprehensive strategic partnership to ensure its long-term, stable and sound development, a senior Chinese official said on Tuesday.

Liu Haixing, minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, made the remarks at the 14th China-UK Senior Leadership Forum in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, which brought together over 60 representatives from both countries.

The CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with major UK political parties, including the Labour Party and the Conservative Party, as well as with people across various sectors of society, Liu said.

Through constructive communication, the two sides can transcend ideological differences and enhance mutual understanding, he said.

He added that China is willing to work with the UK side to fully utilize the unique role of party-to-party exchanges and promote practical cooperation at all levels and across various sectors.

China is also willing to invite more UK politicians, business leaders, cultural figures and young people to visit the country to deepen exchanges on issues of common interest, including political agenda, major strategic planning, governance experience and global challenges, so as to promote comprehensive and in-depth communication and cooperation, Liu said.

On China-UK relations and cooperation, Liu called on the two countries to deepen collaboration in areas of trade, people-to-people exchanges and international affairs.

In January, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer undertook a three-day official visit to China — the first by a UK prime minister in eight years. During the visit, the two sides signed 12 intergovernmental cooperation documents, covering trade, agriculture and food, culture and market regulation.

"I think that the prime minister's visit is a mark of the attention that the UK gives to its relationship with China," said David Lidington, honorary president of the Great Britain-China Centre and former minister for the Cabinet Office.

He recalled that when the forum was first launched nearly two decades ago, both sides were cautious, whereas today they are able to engage with one another despite their differences.

"I think that's a sign of the relationship having developed and matured in a way that is thoroughly welcomed," he said.

"We hope that this forum will result in greater understanding in the further development of the strategic relationship and greater mutual understanding that our leaders committed themselves to at their meeting," he added.

Peter Wilson, the UK's ambassador to China, said that if the two countries truly want a long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership and deeper mutual political understanding, both sides need to engage in genuine conversations.

"Decoupling" between the UK and China is neither feasible nor desirable, he said, stressing the importance of mutual understanding.

The visit to Yangzhou and participation in the forum will help delegates gain a more comprehensive understanding of China, Wilson noted, adding that the delegation includes representatives from different parts of the UK, which he said would also help China see the UK in a more varied and diversified way.

Dialogue mechanisms such as the forum help facilitate communication between the two sides, he said, adding that while differences do exist, they should not be overstated and both sides should avoid creating "walls".

In addition to communication, he also called on the two countries to strengthen cooperation.

"Practical cooperation is something that the UK has traditionally been very good at. It's something that I would hope that we would do more of with China," he said.

zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn