Xi wants to see UK playing a vital role in EU

London

CHINESE President Xi Jinping has told Britain he wants to see a united European Union, making his most direct comments to date on Britain's relationship with Europe ahead of the country's in-out EU membership referendum.

On the last day of a four-day visit to Britain, Mr Xi told Prime Minister David Cameron of the EU's importance for China as a strategic partner and its largest trading partner, China's foreign ministry said.