In this Nov 6, 2020 file photo, two men walk past the empty international arrivals area at Beijing airport. (GREG BAKER / AFP)

China on Thursday suspended flights between China and the United Kingdom after the UK recently reported a new strain of the coronavirus, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.

Given the exceptional nature of the new virus variant and its potential impact, China made the decision after a full assessment to safeguard the health and people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries, Wang told reporters at a regular news briefing in Beijing.

"China has taken reference to the practices of other countries," he said, adding that China will closely follow the situation and make adjustments in due course.

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