Update | China wants Britain in a united European Union, Xi Jinping tells David Cameron
Chinese president hopes London can play constructive role in promoting deepening development of China's ties within Europe
China wants a united European Union in which Britain plays a prominent role in promoting Chinese relations with the bloc, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Britain's prime minister in an indirect plea for the nation to remain part of the EU.
Prime Minister David Cameron is seeking to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU, which it joined in 1973, as the "in" and "out" campaigns prepare for battle in a referendum on membership, to be held before 2017.
In a meeting at Chequers, the prime minister's official country residence, late on Thursday, Xi told Cameron that the EU was a strategic partner of China and also its largest trading partner, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
"China hopes to see a prosperous Europe and a united EU, and hopes Britain, as an important member of the EU, can play an even more positive and constructive role in promoting the deepening development of China-EU ties," it added, paraphrasing Xi's comments.
China typically does not comment on votes in other countries, viewing it as interference in their internal affairs.
Professor Zhou Yongsheng, of China Foreign Affairs University, said as cooperation between London and Beijing grew deeper, Britain would understand China better than any other country in the EU.
