Miliband told Yang the Britain-China strategic partnership relations had maintained a sound momentum of development, and the two sides shared broad common interests and faced many common challenges.
Miliband is the first senior official from the British government to visit China this year after difficulties occured in bilateral ties at the end of last year.
The differences between the two sides should not affect the overall development of bilateral relations, Miliband said.
Miliband said Britain welcomed the inauguration of the strategic dialogue in a higher level, which was expected to "take our political cooperation to a new level."
Britain would work with China to increase economic cooperation and to jointly oppose trade protectionism, he said.
As to China-EU relations, Miliband said his country supported the European Union in promoting comprehensive strategic partnership with China.
The Iran nuclear issue was also on the agenda of Yang and Miliband. After the hour-long talks with Miliband, Yang said China hoped all parties would make concerted efforts to push for dialogue and negotiation by "adopting more constructive measures."
Related:
Chinese premier, British foreign secretary underline free trade
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| Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband in Beijing, capital of China, March 16, 2010. (Xinhua/Li Tao) |
BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Britain Tuesday pledged to make joint efforts to promote free trade and oppose protectionism.
"China and Britain should keep alert to trade protectionism and work together to oppose it," said Premier Wen Jiabao in a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, according to a press release from China's Foreign Ministry. Full story
