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Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown
(C) poses for photographers with Chinese soccer players Dong Fangzhuo (L)
of Manchester United and Zheng Zhi of Charlton Athletic, at a tea party
specially for the Chinese community representatives in his office at 10
Downing Street, London Jan. 14, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
LONDON, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The comprehensive
strategic relationship between Britain and China is "better than ever," British
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday.
"Over the past few years we have seen a steady
increase in cooperation in some areas, and a quite dramatic change in others. On
trade, education or cultural exchanges we're working more closely with China
than ever before. And on international issues, whether working together to
resolve major conflicts or to tackle climate change, we have a closer dialogue
now than we have ever had," Brown said in a written interview with
correspondents of Xinhua News Agency and the People's Daily based in London.
"But there's potential to take our cooperation to a
higher level, across a whole range of issues. That's why I'm visiting China -
and I look forward to discussing with Premier Wen and other leaders and members
of society how we can move forward," said Brown who is going to pay his first
visit to China on Jan. 18-20 as the British prime minister.
Seeking his comments on Sino-UK cooperation in
various fields which has produced mutually beneficial results, Brown said, "Yes,
the benefits are enormous. I welcomed representatives of the UK Chinese
community to No. 10 (Downing Street) yesterday and was struck by the huge range
of contributions Chinese people, and others with Chinese backgrounds, make to
our multicultural society."
But the benefits are also a case of hard economic
fact, he said, adding Britain is the largest EU investor in China and in total
China now exports more than the United States, so China is an enormous market
for key UK industries and services and "during my visit we will announce new
trade targets to reflect this."
Referring to what potentials the two countries could
explore to enrich bilateral cooperation, Brown said "China is the world leader
in manufacturing. Britain is a world leader in services and hi-tech products. So
our economies compliment each other well."
The British prime minister acknowledged that the UK
and China share similar challenges in pursuing sustainable development. He said
"I'm very interested in President Hu's 'Scientific Development Outlook', and the
emphasis on promoting not just high growth, but balanced economic development
with concern for the environmental and social implications. I think that there's
a great deal we can do to work with China on that agenda. So while I am in China
we will be announcing cooperation on a range of initiatives, involving academia,
commercial expertise and local government."
On what concrete measures the two countries could
take to further expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields
such as culture, education, science and technology as well as energy, Brown said
"Well, we have more Chinese students than ever before studying in the UK: over
75,000 last year. And I am determined we should do all we can to increase
educational exchange. So we'll be announcing expanded exchange programs for
young people and graduates during my visit."
He said that the First Emperor exhibition at the
British Museum has been one of the most successful exhibitions ever in Britain,
and shows the huge interest in the UK in Chinese culture.
He said he is delighted that the largest ever
festival of Chinese culture in the UK -- China Now -- will open next month in
London.
About cooperation in science and technology, the
prime minister said Chinese researchers produce more joint research papers with
UK scientists than with any other European country, and the UK's world-renowned
Research Councils have now opened a joint office in Beijing, so the two sides
are doing a huge amount which will be recognized during his
visit.
British PM: It is crucial for UK-China
coordination on int'l issues
LONDON, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- It is crucial for Britain and
China to coordinate their positions on international issues such as global
security and world economic development, British Prime Minister said here on
Tuesday.
"Coordinating our positions in these issues is
crucial," Brown said in a written interview with correspondents of Xinhua News
Agency and the People's Daily based in London.
The British prime minister is going to visit China on
January 18-20. Full story
Britain opposes Taiwan's planned referendum on joining
UN
LONDON, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Britain is opposed to the
planned referendum on joining the United Nations in the name of Taiwan, British
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday.
"We want to see tensions across the Taiwan Strait
reduced and the Taiwan issue peacefully resolved. So it follows that we're
opposed to the planned referendum on joining the U.N. in the name of Taiwan,"
Brown said in a written interview with correspondents of Xinhua News Agency and
the People's Daily based in London. Full story
Britain launches largest festival of
Chinese culture
LONDON, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Britain launched its largest
ever festival of Chinese culture -- China Now -- Tuesday, unveiling a program of
more than 800 events across the country.
"China Now will showcase the very best of modern
Chinese society and culture," Simon Heale, chief executive of China Now, said at
a press conference. Full story
