On December 20, 2016 local time, Prime Minister Theresa May of the UK met with visiting State Councilor Yang Jiechi in London.

Yang Jiechi conveyed President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang’s sincere greetings to Theresa May. He said that President Xi Jinping and Mme. Prime Minister met during the G20 Hangzhou Summit and reaffirmed the general direction of the "Golden Era" of China-UK relations, which injects new impetus into the all-round, in-depth and extensive bilateral cooperation. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the UK side, intensify high-level exchanges, well host bilateral mechanism dialogues, deepen practical cooperation in nuclear power, high-speed railway, finance, innovation and other fields, reinforce communication and coordination in major international and regional issues, push forward economic globalization featuring openness and inclusiveness as well as cope with climate change and other global challenges, so as to jointly push China-UK global comprehensive strategic partnership in the 21st century for more practical development.

Theresa May asked Yang Jiechi to convey her best wishes to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. She expressed that the UK regards China as an important strategic partner. Both countries enjoy broad prospects in mutually beneficial cooperation. The UK side hopes to maintain the momentum of close high-level exchanges, beef up practical cooperation in all fields and facilitate global free trade with China. The UK also stands ready to join efforts with all countries to deal with climate change and other common challenges.

On the same day, Yang Jiechi also met with Duke of York Prince Andrew and Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond of the UK, exchanging views on the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in relevant fields.