Li affirms Sino-British ties

Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China, met with British Prime Minister David Cameron in London on Tuesday, saying that Sino-British ties generally are maintaining a good momentum of development.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level between China and Britain 40 years ago, Li said, relations have become healthy, stable and mature. Strategic mutual trust has kept growing and areas for cooperation have been expanding.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau, said he appreciated the current British government's positive policy toward China.

He noted that both China and Britain now face rare development opportunities in advancing ties as both countries implement, respectively, a new five-year development plan.

Li put forward a four-point proposal on deepening Sino-British ties. The proposal includes continuing to grasp the general direction of relations from a strategic and long-term perspective to boost mutual political trust, and pushing forward win-win economic and trade cooperation.

He also called for more coordination between China and Britain in international affairs, and proposed expanded people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Stressing that the inter-party relationship is an important part of the Sino-British comprehensive strategic partnership, Li said the CPC is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with British mainstream parties, including the ruling Conservative Party.

Cameron said Britain has attached great importance to its relationship with China and is willing to further augment high-level exchanges.

It is particularly important for the two countries to strengthen economic and trade cooperation under current circumstances, Cameron said. He invited more Chinese companies to invest in Britain.

The British prime minister also lauded the Chinese government's policy of expanding domestic demand to boost economic growth, and expressed support for the European Union's expansion of its economic and trade ties with China.

On Monday, Li paid a visit to Oxford University and met with its Vice-Chancellor, Andrew Hamilton.

Li said Oxford University has made a great contribution to a better understanding between the Chinese and British people.

"This will provide a new opportunity for Oxford University to strengthen cooperation with China. We would like to work together with our British colleagues to find new forms of cooperation," Li said.

Hamilton said Oxford University, which has a history of 400 years of interactions with China, is committed to China studies and has played a unique role in introducing China to the world and strengthening ties between the two countries.

Also on Monday, Li met with Chairman of British 48 Group Club Stephen Perry and representatives of "Young Icebreakers", praising the club and its "Young Icebreakers" for their contribution to the development of Sino-British relations, particularly in areas of economic cooperation and cultural exchange.

The 48 Group Club's history goes back to 1953, when a group of British businessmen from 48 companies broke through the then embargo against China and engaged in trade with the country. They later became known as the "Icebreakers".

Over the past decades, they have been committed to promoting friendly cooperation with China.

The 48 Group Club launched the "Young Icebreakers" in 2008 to attract talented British youth to follow the steps of the old generation and increase understanding of and cooperation with China.

Li arrived in London on Sunday for a four-day official visit to Britain.