Economy

China, Britain likely to sign several MOUs during Wen's visit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-24 09:39

BEIJING -- China and Britain are likely to sign eight or nine MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) on development and cooperation across a broad range of areas during Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit to Britain, a British diplomat said in Beijing Thursday.

Dan Chugg, the political counsellor of the British Embassy in Beijing, said the MOUs will likely cover areas such as trade and services, taxation and scientific research.

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Wen will pay his fourth visit to Britain from Saturday to Monday. Chugg said the visit will demonstrate the "closeness" of bilateral relations.

The goal of Wen's visit is to strengthen bilateral relations, improve mutual understanding and find ways for both sides to benefit from their complementary economies, Chugg said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wen will hold talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron and inspect several Sino-British cooperative projects.

Leaders will explore the possibility of cooperating in new areas, such as finance, infrastructure and technology, Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said at a news briefing on June 17.

Cameron paid his first visit to China as prime minister last November. Cameron and Wen agreed that the two countries were "partners for growth" by virtue of their complementary economies, Chugg said.

As "partners for growth", Chugg said, the two countries are pushing for business opportunities.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Wen and Cameron will witness the signing of deals covering inter-city cooperation, investment, resource exploration, bank cooperation, architecture and design.

Chugg said that negotiations are still under way for Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, which wishes to sign a contract that will allow it to install wireless Internet facilities in London's subway stations.

Media reports said Huawei's intention to participate in a previous plan to introduce mobile phone coverage to London's subway failed, as the city's tunnels proved to be too narrow for the project to be completed.

Huawei's participation in the plan was questioned, as some claimed that it was not appropriate for a foreign company to participate in the project, media reports said.

Chugg also said China-Britain relations represent more than just business, adding that China is vitally important for Britain's foreign policy priorities.

"It's difficult for us to meet our own priorities without engaging with China. We have reached agreements with China on many issues," Chugg said.

During his stay in London, Wen and Cameron will also discuss international and regional issues of common concern, Chugg said.