On November 22, 2018, the consultation on international law between the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdome (UK) was held in Beijing. Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Foreign Ministry Xu Hong and Legal Adviser of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Lain Macleod of the UK exchanged in-depth views on the current situation and challenges of the international law, the work of the International Law Commission of the United Nations, unilateral sanctions, legal issues related to the Belt and Road Initiative, extradition cooperation between China and the UK and other important legal topics.

On November 23, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law Ma Xinmin conducted candid communication and exchanges with the UK side on international law and polar affairs including the international seabed affairs, the Antarctic marine conservation zone, the South China Sea issue, and nuclear-powered vessel.

Both sides agreed that the consultation plays a positive role in increasing mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries on significant international law issues including the international law and polar affairs as well as in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-UK relations.