Beijing drops hint it would like UK to stay in EU

Media reports suggested in October 2015 that China hoped to see a united European Union in which Britain plays a prominent role in promoting Chinese relations with the bloc - in an indirect plea for the country to remain part of the EU.

Meeting at the UK prime minister's official country residence on 22 October, Xi Jinping told David Cameron the European Union was a strategic partner of China's and also its largest trading partner.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

EUObserver, 23.10.15: China urges Britain to stay inside EU https://euobserver.com/eu-china/130810

The Independent, 23.10.15: Chinese president Xi Jinping says UK has a role to play in the EU http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/chinese-president-xi-jinping-says-he-wants-britain-to-keep-playing-a-role-in-the-european-union-a6705631.html

Washington Post, 20.10.15: UK rolls out red carpet for China’s Xi on contentious visit https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/chinas-leader-opens-uk-state-visit-with-carriage-ride/2015/10/20/a5782e5a-7705-11e5-a5e2-40d6b2ad18dd_story.html

ESO: Background information: Inside Europe: Why Europe is seduced by China http://www.europeansources.info/record/inside-europe-why-europe-is-seduced-by-china/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 24.11.15: The golden age of Sino-British relations has begun – quitting the EU could halt it http://bit.ly/1My7OB2

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