--- title: "Xi and Burnham discuss cooperation in first call" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/xi-and-burnham-discuss-cooperation-in-first-call" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/xi-and-burnham-discuss-cooperation-in-first-call" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/xi-and-burnham-discuss-cooperation-in-first-call.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/xi-and-burnham-discuss-cooperation-in-first-call" category: "Politics" area: "United Kingdom" published: "2026-09-09T12:05:26.996Z" source_reported: "2026-09-09T05:11:00.000Z" updated: "2026-09-09T12:05:26.996Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-09T11:30:03.281822+00:00" --- # Xi and Burnham discuss cooperation in first call *Chinese president and UK prime minister spoke on September 8 about economic ties and global issues.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to named bodies, with two independent outlets and specific dates/locations cited. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes from both sides, explains why the story matters, and separates fact from comment. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. Language is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism or clickbait. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Chinese President Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke by phone on September 8. - The leaders discussed pragmatic cooperation, economic growth, and raising living standards. - Burnham raised issues including domestic security, Russia's war in Ukraine, Hong Kong, and human rights. - Xi expressed hope that Britain will protect the rights of Chinese investors. Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham held a phone conversation on September 8. Xi stated that China and Britain share more common interests than differences. Burnham's office reported that the leaders discussed the importance of pragmatic cooperation, including economic growth and raising living standards. During the call, Prime Minister Burnham raised several key issues: domestic security, Russia's war in Ukraine, Hong Kong, human rights, and consular cases. President Xi expressed hope that Britain would fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors. ## Disagreement on the nature of the call's initiation Asia One reported that the call was held at the British Prime Minister's invitation, according to an official Chinese summary. However, other reports do not specify who initiated the call. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated reports mention the specific date of the phone call, September 8, as the day it took place. The centre-rated reports do not mention the specific date of the phone call. None of the right-rated reports mention the specific date of the phone call. ## Who covered it Shares of the 24 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 38% (9) - Centre: 33% (8) - Right: 29% (7) 16 of 40 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-09T11:30:03.281822+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-09T12:15:30.294Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports highlighted Prime Minister Burnham's intention to engage "frankly and constructively" with China, as stated by Downing Street. These reports also noted Burnham's discussion of domestic security, Russia's war in Ukraine, Hong Kong, and human rights. CGTN and unn.ua mentioned Xi's call for China and Britain to transcend differences and seek common ground, with CGTN adding that Xi congratulated Burnham on his new role. Asia One and The Independent (US) also focused on Burnham's promise of frank engagement and the discussion of pragmatic cooperation. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports led with the statement from Chinese President Xi Jinping that China and Britain share more common interests than differences. Asia One and Reuters reported this sentiment prominently. Bloomberg and Caixin Global also highlighted Xi's call for Britain to protect Chinese investors' rights and the discussion of boosting economic ties. WTVB and The Straits Times also focused on the shared interests and the positive tone of the call. ### Right - Right-rated reports focused on President Xi Jinping's statement that China and Britain have more common interests than differences, with Caixin Global and The Straits Times leading with this. EADaily and vz.ru highlighted that the leaders discussed Russia and Ukraine, as well as Hong Kong and human rights. News-pravda.com mentioned the conversation with British Prime Minister Burnham, while Anadolu Ajansı reported Xi's call for the two countries to rise above disagreements and broaden cooperation. Yonhap News Agency noted Xi's hope for the protection of Chinese investor rights. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 1 - mixed: 10 - high: 8 - unknown: 18 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/09/2577728.html) — Mikhail Onufrienko: Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Burnham - [Asia One](https://asiaone.com/china/chinas-xi-tells-uks-burnham-they-have-more-common-interests-differences) — China's Xi tells UK's Burnham they have more common interests than differences - [Ecns](http://ecns.cn/china/2026-09-09/detail-ihfkanuz5373484.shtml) — Xi holds phone talks with British PM - [Ecopolitic](https://ecopolitic.ro/xi-jinping-i-a-cerut-lui-andy-burnham-sa-caute-terenuri-de-intelegere-intre-beijing-si-londra) — Xi Jinping Asked Andy Burnham to Search for "Land of Understanding" Between Beijing and London - [Dnevni list Danas](https://danas.rs/svet/si-djinping-rekao-bernamu-da-london-i-peking-imaju-vise-zajednickih-interesa-nego-razlika) — Xi Jinping Told Bernama that London and Beijing Have More Common Interests than Differences - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3048353/pm-britanico-promete-cooperacao-pragmatica-com-china-em-conversa-com-xi-jinping) — Andy Burnham Promises "Pragmatic" Cooperation with China in Conversation with Xi - [Aktuality.sk](https://aktuality.sk/clanok/yeuufm5/britsky-premier-otvoril-temy-hongkongu-a-ludskych-prav-v-priamom-telefonate-s-pekingom) — British PM Raises Hong Kong, Human Rights Issues in Direct Phone Call with Beijing - [yucatan.com.mx](https://yucatan.com.mx/mundo/2026/09/08/dialogo-entre-china-y-reino-unido-sobre-cooperacion-pragmatica-en-economia-ddhh-y-seguridad.html) — China-UK Dialogue on "Pragmatic Cooperation" in Economics, Human Rights and Security - [El Periodista Online](https://elperiodista.cl/2026/09/burnham-apuesta-por-el-pragmatismo-con-china-y-promete-una-relacion-franca-y-constructiva-con-xi-jinping) — Burnham Is Committed to Pragmatism with China and Promises a "Frank and Constructive" Relationship with Xi Jinping - [Caixin Global](https://caixinglobal.com/2026-09-09/xi-and-burnham-discuss-boosting-economic-ties-in-first-call-102482956.html) — Xi and Burnham Discuss Boosting Economic Ties in First Call - [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/9/8/1449841.html) — Xi Jinping Discussed the Conflict in Ukraine with the Premiere of Britain - [azeritimes.com](https://azeritimes.com/xi-and-burnham-hold-first-call-since-july) — Xi and Burnham hold first call since July - [Unknown](https://khabaronline.ir/news/2271957/%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%81%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B4%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85) — Shea and Burnham's First Phone Call - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/08/chinas-xi-tells-uks-burnham-they-have-more-common-interests-than-differences) — China’s Xi tells UK’s Burnham they have more common interests than differences - [La República](https://larepublica.co/globoeconomia/xi-insta-al-reino-unido-a-proteger-a-los-inversores-chinos-en-una-llamada-con-burnham-4477036) — Xi Urges the UK to Protect Chinese Investors in a Call with Burnham - [unn.ua](https://unn.ua/news/kytai-shukaie-tochky-dotyku-iz-brytaniieiu-si-obhovoryv-iz-bernemom-prahmatychnu-spivpratsiu-ta-viinu-v-ukraini) — China Seeks Points of Contact with Britain - Xi Discussed “Pragmatic Cooperation” and War in Ukraine with Burnham - [tabnak.ir](https://tabnak.ir/fa/news/1393508/%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%81%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%DA%86%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85) — The Chinese President's First Phone Call with Andy Burnham - [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/externe/xi-jinping-si-andy-burnham-au-avut-prima-conversatie-telefonica-sa-depasim-diferentele-802501.html) — Xi Jinping and Andy Burnham Had Their First Phone Conversation. "Let's Overcome the Differences" - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/china/chinas-xi-tells-uks-burnham-they-have-more-common-interests-than-differences-2026-09-08) — China's Xi tells UK's Burnham they have more common interests than differences - [CGTN](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-09-08/Chinese-President-Xi-Jinping-holds-phone-talks-with-British-PM-1Qh8z7VOCDm/p.html) — President Xi calls on China, Britain to transcend differences, seek common ground - [rthk.hk](https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1869301-20260908.htm) — China, UK should boost cooperation: Xi - [EADaily](https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2026/09/08/byornem-pozvonil-si-czinpinu-obsudili-rossiyu-i-ukrainu-gonkong-i-prava-cheloveka) — Burnem Called Xi Jinping to Discuss Russia and Ukraine, Hong Kong and Human Rights - [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/news/article-16114615/Chinas-Xi-Jinping-warns-Andy-Burnham-protect-rights-interests-Chinese-investors-UK-British-Steel-row.html) — China warns PM to 'protect rights and interests' of Chinese investors - [DiarioBitcoin](https://diariobitcoin.com/china/xi-jinping-pide-vinculos-mas-profundos-con-reino-unido-en-su-primera-llamada-con-andy-burnham) — Xi Jinping Calls for Deeper Links with the UK in His First Call to Andy Burnham - [fararu.com](https://fararu.com/fa/news/1000579/%D8%B1%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%DA%86%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B2%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B4-%D9%87%D9%85%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%AF%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B4%D8%AF) — Chinese President Calls for Increased Cooperation with Britain - [nin.rs](https://nin.rs/svet/vesti/122761/si-dinping-i-britanski-premijer-razgovarali-o-odnosima-kine-i-velike-britanije) — Si Spoke to Bernama: China and the UK Have More Interests in Common - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/chinas-xi-tells-uks-burnham-they-have-more-common-interests-than-differences) — China’s Xi tells UK’s Burnham they have more common interests than differences - [perspectivemedia.com](https://perspectivemedia.com/burnham-promises-frank-and-constructive-engagement-with-china-in-call-with-xi) — Burnham promises ‘frank and constructive’ engagement with China in call with Xi - [South China Morning Post](https://scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3366819/chinas-xi-jinping-urges-deeper-uk-ties-first-call-andy-burnham) — China’s Xi Jinping urges deeper UK ties in first call with new PM Andy Burnham - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/europe/china-uk-should-rise-above-disagreements-broaden-cooperation-xi-tells-burnham/4051002) — China, UK should rise above disagreements, broaden cooperation: Xi tells Burnham - [Evening Standard](https://standard.co.uk/news/politics/andy-burnham-prime-minister-jimmy-lai-china-critics-b1296188.html) — Burnham promises ‘frank and constructive’ engagement with China in call with Xi - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/andy-burnham-prime-minister-china-keir-starmer-b3046645.html) — Burnham promises ‘frank and constructive’ engagement with China in call with Xi - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/andy-burnham-prime-minister-china-keir-starmer-b3046645.html) — Burnham promises ‘frank and constructive’ engagement with China in call with Xi - [china.org.cn](https://china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2026-09/08/content_118686249.shtml) — 1st LD: Xi holds phone talks with British PM - [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-08/xi-urges-uk-to-protect-chinese-investors-in-call-with-burnham) — Xi Urges UK to Protect Chinese Investors in Call With Burnham - [Devdiscourse](https://devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/3974344-xi-and-burnham-bridging-nations-with-multilateral-cooperation) — Xi and Burnham: Bridging Nations with Multilateral Cooperation - [i-cable.com](https://i-cable.com/%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E8%B3%87%E8%A8%8A/502273/%E7%BF%92%E8%BF%91%E5%B9%B3%E8%88%87%E8%B2%9D%E5%AE%89%E5%BE%B7%E9%80%9A%E9%9B%BB%E8%A9%B1-%E6%8C%87%E4%B8%AD%E8%8B%B1%E6%87%89%E4%BA%92%E5%B0%8A%E4%BA%92%E4%BF%A1%E8%B6%85%E8%B6%8A%E5%88%86) — Xi Jinping Speaks with Benedict Cumberbatch by Phone, Emphasizing that China and the UK Should Respect and Trust Each Other to Overcome Differences; Hopes the UK Will Protect the Legitimate Rights and Interests of Chinese Investors. - [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260908168300009) — Xi Jinping Speaks with UK Prime Minister Burnham... "Hope for Protection of Chinese Investor Rights" - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/8e7b919f7174831c) — Xi, Burnham have first phone conversation - [Xinhua](https://english.news.cn/20260908/d610c8478cab493e89e0a846991c5576/c.html) — Xi holds phone talks with British PM ## Questions **When did Xi Jinping and Andy Burnham speak?** Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham held a phone conversation on September 8. **What did the leaders discuss?** They discussed pragmatic cooperation, economic growth, and raising living standards. Burnham also raised issues of domestic security, Russia's war in Ukraine, Hong Kong, and human rights. **What did Xi Jinping hope for from the UK?** President Xi Jinping expressed hope that Britain will fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/xi-and-burnham-discuss-cooperation-in-first-call. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Xi and Burnham discuss cooperation in first call", https://mediabias.news/politics/xi-and-burnham-discuss-cooperation-in-first-call