And China is facilitating the modernization of the Global South, through the Belt and Road Initiative, and South-South cooperation, with its accumulated investment in Belt and Road partner countries reaching more than 2 trillion yuan by the end of 2023.

The ambassador went on to say that China's development has injected positive energy into world peace.

"Following an independent foreign policy of peace, China has been building friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, and mutual benefit," he said.

And Zheng talked about China-UK relations in the latter part of his speech, noting that, last month, President Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed during a phone call that "we should uphold mutual respect, enhance engagement, and expand cooperation".

He added that Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy had recently met in Laos, and that Vice-Premier He Lifeng and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves had talked over the phone, as had the energy ministers representing both countries.

"Going forward, we should work together to follow up on the understanding between our leaders, and build a stable and mutually-beneficial relationship," Zheng said.