China, Britain issue joint statement, pledge to forward cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) holds an annual meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron in London, Britain, June 17, 2014.[Photo/Xinhua]

LONDON - China and Britain agreed to work together to push forward bilateral cooperation in growth, reform and innovation, according to a joint statement issued here on Tuesday.

The document, issued after the annual meeting between visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his British counterpart David Cameron, underlined that since the establishment of the China-Britain comprehensive strategic partnership a decade ago, bilateral relations have made significant progress.

China and Britain agreed that their comprehensive strategic partnership has become an indispensable element of each other's foreign policy agendas, the document said.

China and Britain stand ready to expand economic and trade cooperation and promote development in each other's markets. They renewed their commitment to the joint target of 100 billion U.S. dollars by 2015.

The two countries stressed the importance of mutual investment in promoting respective long-term economic growth and employment. Britain welcomed Chinese investment in infrastructure such as transportation and energy, particularly nuclear, high-speed rail, offshore wind power and photovoltaic projects.

Both sides agreed to establish a strategic partnership on infrastructure and committed to working together to support further collaboration between Chinese and British companies on more projects.

China and Britain welcomed the cooperation on civil nuclear energy and signing of a joint statement on civil nuclear power.

The two sides agreed to promote substantive cooperation on rail, including high-speed rail, in areas such as design, engineering, construction, supply operation and maintenance, on projects in China and Britain.

Both sides welcome a greater role of RMB in international trade and investment and the establishment of an RMB clearing bank in London.

The document also covers bilateral cooperation in such areas as urbanization, aerospace, maritime development, healthcare, people-to-people exchanges, education, scientific innovation and cultural and creative industries.

It said the two sides attach importance to the China-Britain Joint Scientific Innovation Fund, and will enable research and innovation in key areas which are priorities for both countries including health, environmental technologies, food and water, urbanization, energy and education.

According to the document, both sides attach high importance to deepening the China-European Union (EU) strategic partnership. They support negotiations for an EU-China investment agreement to lift pragmatic cooperation to a new level, and reaffirm their commitment to the long term goal of an ambitious and comprehensive EU China free trade agreement.

On global and regional affairs, China and Britain agreed that as major countries with global influence and permanent members of the UN Security Council, their close cooperation is conducive to tackling the global challenges of the 21st century.

Both sides are ready to make joint efforts for the strong, balanced and sustainable growth of global economy, maintain and consolidate the multilateral trade systems represented by the World Trade Organization, and oppose protectionism of any form.

Earlier in the day, Li met with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle and held talks with Cameron at the annual prime minister's meeting.

The Chinese premier arrived here on Monday for an official visit. Britain is the first leg of his two-nation trip to Europe, which will also take him to Greece.