British PM hails 'golden year' in UK-China relations

LONDON -- British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday hailed a "golden" period in the UK-China ties during a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at Downing Street.

In their meeting, Cameron said this year marked a "golden year" in the UK-China relations, and the British side was looking forward to welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Britain in October.

He noted that the British government departments have already started their preparations for the visit and hoped to work closely with the Chinese side to demonstrate the achievements and bright future of UK-China cooperation.

Britain is committed to developing relations with China and is willing to become its most open partner, he said.

Britain stands ready to advance bilateral trade, encourage two-way investment by enterprises in both countries, and welcome more Chinese investment in British high speed railway, civilian nuclear energy, aviation, telecommunications and other sectors, the prime minister added.

Britain is also willing to facilitate EU-China Investment Agreement negotiations and support the feasibility study of an EU-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Cameron said.

Wang, on his part, said that Xi's state visit to Britain in autumn would be of historic significance and would represent a milestone in the China-Britain relations.

Both sides should work closely on the preparatory work for the visit and ensure its complete success so as to push the bilateral relations to a "golden era", Wang suggested.

Noting that the China-Britain relations were becoming increasingly mature and stable, Wang said China appreciated Britain's positive and open stance in its cooperation with China, and hoped Britain would continue to lead the way among major Western countries.

Both nations could explore new space for growth in the China-Britain comprehensive strategic partnership, and add new momentum to their cooperation in international productivity, global finance, growth and innovation, and global governance and development, Wang said.

Wang was on a three-day official visit to Britain from Monday to Wednesday.