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