Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister Tony Blair Monday hailed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and pledged to work closely to further strengthen bilateral relations.

Addressing a joint news conference with Blair at 10 Downing Street, Wen told reporters that China and Britain have agreed to consolidate and strengthen cooperation as follows:

Firstly, China and Britain have agreed to establish a mechanism on exchange of visits of government leaders.

"Prime Minster Blair has agreed to make a visit to China next year, which will start the mechanism," Wen said.

Secondly, the two sides have agreed to intensify discussions on important strategic issues such as fighting terrorism, promoting nonproliferation, protecting environment and ensuring sustained development.

The two sides would increase cooperation in investment and trade, finance, science and technology, education, environmental protection and agriculture.

The two sides have also agreed to establish a mechanism aimed at addressing disputes and improving mutual understanding through dialogue.

Wen, who earlier in the day held talks with Blair on bilateral and global issues, said the meeting was fruitful.

China and Britain would further follow out their common stands and are sure to see a step forward in bilateral relations based on the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win, Wen said.

June will see the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Britain, he added.

On the issue of human rights, Wen said the Chinese government has always attached great importance to respecting and protecting human rights.

China has included a provision of respecting human rights into its constitution and beefed up efforts to promote democratic political reform and intensify construction of its judicial system, Wen added.

On the issue of Iraq, Wen pointed out that China is very concerned about what is happening in the war-torn country.

To resolve the issue, Wen said, power transfer must be guaranteed to ensure that the Iraqi people rule Iraq by themselves.

It is very important for the United Nations to play an important role in the country and stability must be restored to boost the reconstruction process in Iraq, he added.

Wen also told reporters that Blair, on behalf of his government, has expressed a positive stance toward the full market economy status that the European Union is considering to grant China.

"It is time for the European Union to lift arms embargo on China and give China full market status... To solve the issue is not only beneficial to China but also to Europe," Wen stressed.

Blair told reporters that he was very impressed by the economic development in China during his trip to China last year.

China is already and will be an even greater force in the world, Blair said, adding that his government would adopt right steps to improve the understanding of China by the British people.

What is important for developing bilateral relations between China and Britain is not just to enhance commercial ties, but also to develop cultural exchanges, Blair said.

Before the news conference, the two governments issued a joint statement envisaging closer cooperation on bilateral, multilateral and global issues.

Earlier in the day, Blair hosted a Guard of Honor ceremony for Wen in the Quadrangle in the compound of the British Office, before holding talks with Wen.

Wen's visit to Britain, the first since he took office one year ago, is the fourth leg of his five-nation European tour, which has taken him to Germany, Belgium and Italy. He will fly to Ireland on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2004)