Chinese President Xi Jinping who is on an official visit to the UK expresses hope to see a united European Union in which Britain plays a key role in prompting Chinese relations with the bloc.

The statement comes as British Prime Minister David Cameron is seeing to renegotiate the UK’s relationship with the EU. “In” and “Out” campaigns are bracing for the battle in a referendum to be held before 2017.

EU membership has long been a hot topic in Britain. Eurosceptics, who believe the UK would be better off outside the political and economic union, seek the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Various polls have indicated that the British public is divided on the issue.

Analysts say China usually does not comment on votes in other countries, viewing it as an interference in an internal affair but has made the statement because it is worried about the implication of free trade supporting Britain leaving the EU.

The British government has moved forcefully to strengthen financial and political ties with Beijing. Earlier this year, it signed up as a founding member of China's new infrastructure investment bank.