British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is in Beijing on an official two-day visit, with the UK's new Labour government seeking to demonstrate its willingness to engage in a pragmatic and strategic approach to ties with China.

Lammy's visit is only the second by a British foreign secretary in six years.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the two sides would focus on implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries during the phone talks in August, and have in-depth communication on enhancing strategic mutual trust and strengthening dialogue and cooperation in various fields.

Lammy's visit includes a meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Friday before visiting Shanghai to meet British businesses operating in China. (Xinhua/Reuters)