Chinese Embassy in UK

2026 marks the 55th anniversary of China-UK “Ping-Pong Diplomacy” and the 100th anniversary of the World Table Tennis Championships. From 28 April to 10 May, the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals will return to London, the host city of the first World Table Tennis Championships in 1926. Do you have a special story about table tennis? Join our “Share Your Ping-Pong Story” contest!🏓

From Scotland to China, one melody, one voice 🎵 When students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland sing joined their Chinese peers in Fuzhou to sing Jasmine Flower, the harmony speaks louder than words. #ChinaUK

In a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince and PM Mohammed bin Salman, President Xi Jinping again stressed the need for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in the Middle East and urged political and diplomatic solutions. He also underscored the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and expressed support for regional countries in shaping their own future towards lasting peace and security. 🔗Read more: fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/20…

Not just another half marathon. In Beijing, 100+ robots hit the course—nearly 40% fully autonomous. And the fastest one? It crushed the human record by a few minutes.🦿🥇

Forget trophies—try this instead! At the Turpan Half Marathon, the top three finishers received 1.5-metre lamb skewers and fruit platters. Finish line, #Xinjiang style.

She could barely stand or walk. Now she can. At the Canton Fair, a European woman with a knee condition walks again with the help of a Chinese exoskeleton.🚶‍♀️🦿 Technology, changing lives one step at a time.

CCTV: We noted that yesterday President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister and the two exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Some commentators see this as part of China’s increasing diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the conflict. My question is, how do you think the situation will evolve and how will China continue its role in promoting peace talks and deescalation? Guo Jiakun: The Iran conflict is one of the most pressing challenges facing the international community. Recently, President Xi Jinping made a four-point proposition on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. First, stay committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence. China supports regional states in improving their ties. It’s important to work to build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture of the Middle East and the Gulf region. Second, stay committed to the principle of national sovereignty. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf states should be earnestly respected. Third, stay committed to the principle of international rule of law. It is important to firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We should prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. Fourth, stay committed to a balanced approach to development and security. China stands ready to share with regional countries the opportunities through Chinese modernization. All sides should work to create a sound environment for the development of the Gulf states. The proposition fully embodies China’s consistent position and active efforts to promote peace, end hostilities, and advocate resolving disputes through dialogue. As a Chinese solution to end the conflict and realize peace, the proposition has received growing recognition and support from regional countries and the international community. The current situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end or not. In times like this, it is more imperative than ever that all sides show utmost sincerity, stick to the direction of political settlement, keep up the momentum for ceasefire and negotiation, and work for the early restoration of normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz and peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region. Guided by the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposition, China will work together with the international community to play an active and constructive role in this process.

Nippon TV: Today, the Japanese government has revised limits on defense equipment exports which enables the sales of weapons overseas. The government says that it will promote security cooperation with partner countries. Does China have any comment on this? Guo Jiakun: China is gravely concerned. Japanese militarists during their aggression and expansion last century committed horrendous crimes against China and other neighboring countries in Asia. Given the history of aggression and to prevent the revival of Japanese militarism, the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, the Japanese Instrument of Surrender and a series of documents with full legal effect under international law explicitly require Japan to be “completely disarmed” and not to maintain industries that “would enable her to re-arm for war.” The Japanese Constitution also contains strict restrictions on Japan’s military strength, right of belligerency and right to war. After WWII, Japan further established stringent norms such as the “exclusively defense-oriented principle” to limit the development of military strength and the export of weapons. In 1976, the Japanese government issued a unified view on arms exports demanding that Japan, “as a nation dedicated to peace,” exercise caution on arms export. Japan’s recent dangerous moves in the military and security fields defy its self-proclaimed “dedication to peace” and adherence to the “exclusively defense-oriented” policy. Many experts and scholars expressed concern that Japan is restarting its “war machine” and “exporting wars.” Japan’s quickened remilitarization is already a reality and comes with actual roadmap and steps being taken. The international community, including China, will remain highly vigilant and firmly resist Japan’s reckless moves of neo-militarism.

A British vlogger arrived in China unsure, even wary. A few days later: safe, clean, easy to get around, and surprisingly fun. Seeing is believing. #ChinaTravel

Reuters: The U.S. has seized an Iranian cargo ship that was traveling from China. Today, Iran is about to retaliate to what it says, to quote them, “armed piracy” by the U.S. Iran has also said it would not participate in the second round of negotiations as the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington expires tomorrow. The question is, does China have any remarks on the seized ship? What was it carrying? Also, does China have any comment about the ceasefire that seems to be breaking down? Guo Jiakun: On your first question, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is fragile and complex. We are concerned over the U.S.’s forcible interception of the vessel and hope that relevant parties will honor the ceasefire agreement in a responsible manner, avoid aggravating disputes and escalating tensions, and provide necessary conditions for the restoration of normal passage through the Strait. On your second question, the current regional situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end or not. Now that the window for peace has been opened, favorable conditions need to be created to end the conflict at an early date. China supports relevant sides to maintain the momentum of ceasefire and negotiation, act on the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposition, continue to promote deescalation and play a constructive role for bringing lasting peace and stability to the Middle East.

China-Arab TV: On the afternoon of April 19, 36,000 Japanese people gathered in front of the National Diet Building, strongly opposing moves by Sanae Takaichi’s government to revise the Constitution. Demonstrators held placards reading “No to war,” “Do not undermine Article 9” and “Takaichi step down,” calling for the protection of Japan’s pacifist Constitution. Can I have your comment on that? Guo Jiakun: We also noted that Japan’s push for constitutional revision has been increasingly questioned and rejected in Japan itself as well as its Asian neighbors and the wider world. Japanese militarists have not only committed atrocities to the people in China and other countries in Asia, but also brought profound sufferings to the Japanese people. Japan’s constitutional revision concerns the postwar international order and where Japan is going, and it has been closely watched by the international community and its Asian neighbors. However, so far, the Japanese side has failed to thoroughly reflect on its history of aggression. Some forces in the country even attempted to gloss over and whitewash the crimes committed during the aggression, and push for accelerated remilitarization of Japan, which led to the rampant and dangerous spread of neo-militarism in the country and threatened regional peace and stability. The international community needs to be on high alert against this. Preventing the resurrection of militarism is Japan’s due obligation and the strong will of the international community, including China. We urge the Japanese side to learn lessons from history, fulfill its international obligations and stick to the path of peaceful development.

Hearing a familiar Chinese melody from a passing street sweeper in London is a pleasant surprise. Instantly recognisable: Made in China.🛺🎶

Smart traffic in action. 18 robots glide into position, forming a barrier that flips lanes in real time.

Snowploughs at work. Xinjiang’s Duku Highway—one of China’s most breathtaking routes—is waking from winter, ready to reopen June–October. 🚙🌄 @xinjiangchannel

Not a fan of “British-style” Chinese food? You just haven’t tried the real thing—in China.

📢The China Customs has released revised provisions on the registration of overseas manufacturers for export of food to China. 🔗Read more: jckspj.customs.gov.cn/spj/attachDir/…

“To buy as many as possible!” ZXMOTO debuts at the 139th Canton Fair, turning heads among global buyers. 🇨🇳🏍️ #MadeInChina

China holds 75% of core patents in AI-powered research automation—platforms using AI, especially LLMs, to automate key stages of research. Shaping the future of how research is done worldwide. 💡

A solid start to 2026 and a powerful engine for global economy. Latest Q1 figures are in: GDP +5.0% YoY to 33.42 trillion yuan Foreign trade +15% to 11.84 trillion yuan—a record quarterly high

More than a match ⚽️ Young footballers from Medway met their peers in Foshan, playing a friendly, exploring the city, and bringing the two sister cities closer. #ChinaUK #Guangdong

In a phone call with Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi, FM Wang Yi said the situation has reached a critical juncture between war and peace, with a window for peace opening. He voiced support for sustaining the ceasefire and advancing negotiations, and reaffirmed China’s commitment to de-escalation and improved relations among regional countries, with a view to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. Read more: 🔗fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjbzhd…