Xi's visit to the UK likely to usher in golden age for bilateral cooperation

President Xi Jinping shakes hands with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron in Beijing, Dec 2, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping will begin a state visit to the United Kingdom on Monday. Both sides have high expectations of his trip, looking forward to it starting a golden age of their relations. Comments:

The visit will promote not only the China-UK relationship, but also that between China and Europe as a whole. China is negotiating with the European Union on a bilateral investment agreement and a free trade zone; in both processes the UK has been playing a positive role. Besides, the friendship between China and the UK can set a new model for the China-US relationship, which has witnessed relative tension recently.

Cui Hongjian, a senior scholar on European studies at the China Institute of International Studies, Oct 15

Only when the people of the two nations know each other well in terms of culture, will they accept each other's ways of thinking and better work together. The popular culture of the UK, such as soccer and pop music, are quite popular among Chinese young people, while Chinese culture is appealing to more UK residents, which is a positive signal they are enhancing their relationship. Such positive interactions lay a solid basis for strategic and other cooperation.

Wang Yiwei, a professor on international relations at Renmin University of China, Oct 15

It has long been the common understanding of both China and the UK that their bilateral relationship is entering a golden age. With their political interaction increasingly more frequent, economic cooperation strengthened and their mutual understanding enhanced, 2015 marks the start of a golden age for relations and we hope the two countries make good use of the opportunity.

People's Daily, Oct 14

The visit comes after an intense period of high-level bilateral exchanges. Prime Minister David Cameron last went to China in 2013, followed by a visit from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to the UK in June 2014, and the Duke of Cambridge's well-received trip to China in March this year. These high-level interactions have helped facilitate commercial and economic developments that benefit both countries.

Dr Tim Summers, senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, in the Sept-Oct issue of the UK-based Diplomat.