China hopes to expand economic and trade cooperation with Britain so as to push the overall bilateral partnership to a new high, Vice-President Hu Jintao said Wednesday.
In a meeting with Lord Charles Powell, president of the China- Britain Business Council (CBBC), Hu said this cooperation should also be extended to other fields.
In recent years, Hu said, the Sino-British relationship has enjoyed a good development momentum and leaders of the two countries have frequently exchanged visits.
Cooperation in various fields has continued to expand, with the bilateral trade volume increasing year by year, he said, adding that Britain has become China's second largest trading partner in the European Union.
Hu noted that China and Britain, both big powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have their own characteristics in the fields of economy, science, technology, culture and education.
There exist great potential and extensive prospects for further mutually-beneficial cooperation, the vice-president said.
Hu said he appreciates the CBBC's long-term efforts to promote the Sino-British economic and trade cooperation, and to enhance bilateral friendly relations.
Thanking the Chinese side for its support to the CBBC, Powell said China's forthcoming accession to the World Trade Organization will help accelerate China's fast-growing economy.
The Britain-China ties, especially the economic and trade ties, are proceeding in a smooth way, he said, adding that the British business community is willing to positively strengthen and promote economic and trade cooperation with China.
And the CBBC will continue to make its due efforts to this end, Powell said.
Powell is visiting China at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
(Xinhua News Agency 09/06/2001)
