UK to play full EU role until it leaves: British PM

Britain would continue to play its full European Union (EU) role until exit, said British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

"I am here for a very clear message, the UK is leaving the EU, but we will continue to play a full role until we leave, and we will be a strong and independent partner after we have left," May told reporters upon her arrival here for a two-day EU summit.

It was the new British prime minister's first appearance at an EU summit after Britons voted to leave the EU in a referendum in June.

It was in the interest of both Britain and the EU that the two sides continued to work closely together including at this summit, May stressed. -- BERNAMA