Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with visiting British
Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Beijing on Friday morning, reaching
a host of agreements on bilateral cooperation on economic, finance,
education, Olympics and other matters.
Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao shakes hands with visiting British Prime Minister Gordon
Brown in Beijing, Jan. 18, 2008, during a ceremony in honor of
Gordon Brown.?
During the talks, Wen highlighted Sino-British relation, saying
that the bilateral ties were enjoying their best period in
history.
The two nations have increased mutual trust in politics,
expanded areas of economic cooperation, conducted active cultural
exchanges, and maintained close coordination in international and
regional affairs, Wen told Brown.
"We are satisfied with the sound momentum of the development of
Sino-British relations," the premier noted.
Wen said China and Britain, although in different social and
economic situations, could become cooperative partners as long as
the two nations grasp the general direction of the development of
bilateral relations from a strategic and far-reaching perspective,
and as long as they adhere to the principles of mutual respect,
common development, treating each other as equals and seeking
common ground while reserving their differences.
Both China and Britain agreed that all countries should share
the development opportunities and cope with challenges jointly, so
as to build a peaceful and prosperous world, Wen said.
The two nations were both permanent members of the Security
Council of the United Nations and were important partners with each
other, Wen said, adding that to promote comprehensive strategic
partnership between China and Britain accorded with the interests
of the two countries and the two peoples, and would help world
peace, stability and prosperity.
China and Britain, in the new situation, need to upgrade their
level of cooperation in bilateral and international areas, in an
effort to enrich the contents of the Sino-British comprehensive
strategic partnership, the premier noted.
In response to Wen, Brown said the Britain-China dialogue and
cooperation in the fields of economy, finance, science and
technology, culture, education and human rights have expanded and
been enhanced constantly, bringing an important influence to the
world economy and international society.
The building up of a harmonious world and scientific
development, which China has initiated, were conducive to the
wellbeing of the people of the world and to the globalization
progress, the prime minister said, adding that the British side is
willing to enhance cooperation with the Chinese side on climate
change and the setting up of international mechanisms.
Brown congratulated Wen on China's achievement in economic
development and wished China great success in the progress of all
sectors and in hosting the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
The two sides agreed to upgrade the China-Britain finance
dialogue at the vice-minister level to deputy prime minister level.
They also decided to set up a China-Britain Youth Exchange
Mechanism and boost the bilateral trade volume to US$60 billion in
2010.
The two sides pledged to initiate a China-Britain Science Bridge
Project and formulate an action plan on innovation partnership in
public health care between the two countries at an early date.
Meanwhile, they agreed to implement cooperation plans relating
to the 2012 Olympic Games in London and reinforce cooperation in
coping with climate change and in the building up of sustainable
cities.
China and Britain pledged to enhance consultation and
coordination on issues of great concern and push for positive
progress in international mechanism reform and the Doha round
negotiations.
Wen reaffirmed China's support for the Action Proclamation on
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the British side has
proposed.
The talks were held at the Great Hall of the People, after a
red-carpet welcome ceremony.
After the talks, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony
of nearly 800-million-US dollar contracts on education and energy
between the two countries, and a joint statement on climate
changes.
(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2008)
