Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday in Beijing, where they pledged to make efforts to boost Sino-British ties.

Li first recalled his meeting with Blair last year, saying that global politics have undergone many changes since then.

"The implications of growing Sino-British cooperation have gone beyond the bilateral scope, in the context of profound and complex changes in the international situation," Li said, according to a press release issued by Li's office on Wednesday.

China and Britain should grasp the overall situation while taking a long-term perspective to promote bilateral ties, he said.

Li also called on the two countries to boost cooperation in environmental protection and clean energy in order to promote sustainable development.

Blair, who was on a four-day visit to Beijing as a guest of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, thanked Li for meeting with him.

Blair said he was ready to play a positive role in stepping up Sino-British ties and make efforts to build a bridge for companies from both countries to cooperate and develop together.

They also exchanged views on international and regional issues.

Blair served as British Prime Minister from May 1997 to June 2007. This was Blair's third visit to China this year.

Blair left Beijing on Wednesday.