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BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- President Xi Jinping's visit to the UK is the first one to the European country by a Chinese president in a decade, as it is believed to herald a "golden" era for the bilateral ties. But what exactly does the term "golden era" mean and what's its impact on the two nations?
A Golden Age, A Golden Decade.
By whatever name , consider the growing relationship between the UK and China as a new milestone, one in which both nations stand to benefit.
Whether it is Government to Government --Business to Business.. Or People to People -the stage is set for the fostering of strong relations.
President Xi Jinping says he believes his visit to London will elevate relations between the two nations to "new heights."
From the British side -the architect of the three year effort to woo the Chinese is Chancellor George Osborne.
Great Britain wants to be China's second largest trading partner by the end of the decade -Is this a shift in policy for the UK - Analysts say yes.
This is a moment where the British and Chinese interests mesh well.
China's maturing economy -and growing middle class can absorb services -the hallmark of British export strengths.Meanwhile - the UK is looking for massive Chinese investment in its infrastructure.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has high praise for the way the two nations are coming together.
"As a major power of the world, the UK has taken the lead in keenly grasping the inevitable trend that China is growing strong," Wang said, "and it's also good at grasping the opportunities brought by China's development to other countries. It has also conformed to the trend of the times of changing international relations"
"The Chinese economy grew by 6.9 percent in the most recent quarter.
Critics are saying it is the lowest rate since the global financial crisis - but in line with China's stated goal of continuing to grow by 7-this year - and China is still the economic engine that is driving the global economy.
But Great Britain and China have plans to work in many other areas -including the environment and the struggle with climate change.
China also hopes to benefit from the UK's strong academic credentials ..with more and more Chinese students being admitted to British Universities."
(Source: CNTV.cn)
