Prime Minister Andy Burnham discussed deepening UK-China ties in his first phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to Downing Street.

Burnham used the call on Tuesday morning to express his sincere condolences for the lives lost in recent floods on the Nepal-China border and his appreciation for the rescue efforts and support for British nationals affected.

An official Downing Street readout from the call continued: “Both leaders affirmed their commitment to a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership between the UK and China.

“As permanent members of the [United Nations] Security Council and major economies, they discussed the importance of pragmatic cooperation in advancing UK and Chinese interests and addressing shared global challenges.

“They discussed the opportunities in the UK-China relationship including on economic growth and improving living standards for people in both their countries.”

The PM also said that he would “engage frankly and constructively on issues that matter for both countries”, and raised “domestic security, Russia’s war in Ukraine, Hong Kong, human rights and consular cases of particular importance”.

According to China’s Xinhua news agency, Xi said the UK and China should “respect and trust each other, transcend differences, seek common ground while reserving differences, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation”.

He also highlighted opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the areas of education, healthcare and finance, which are identified as areas for further “opening up” in the 15th five-year plan for 2026 to 2030.

Xi is also reported to have “expressed the hope that the British side will fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors”, likely in reference to the ongoing row over the UK’s nationalisation of British Steel, previously owned by China’s Jingye Group.