Chinese officials are open to launching trade negotiations with Britain in the aftermath of the Brexit vote, raising hopes that the UK’s economy can receive a boost after it leaves the EU.

Critics of Brexit warned that the UK could find itself alone and cut off from the world economy outside the EU, but the indications from China are that deals are possible.

Xing Houyuan, an official in the state-backed Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told government mouthpiece the China Daily that China is being frustrated by the EU.