China attaches importance to relations with Britain and will push for the development of bilateral ties, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said in Beijing on Tuesday.

 

At a meeting with visiting British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Jia said that the current Sino-British relations are witnessing sound development.

 

President Hu Jintao and British Prime Minister Tony Blair exchanged visits last year and the two countries launched a strategic dialogue program.

 

"All of these have injected new vigor and content to the all-round strategic partnership between China and Britain," he said.

 

It is important for the two countries and it will also benefit world peace and development to enhance the Sino-British all-round strategic partnership in an era of globalization, Jia noted.

 

Jia said that the CPPCC will further liaise with British departments and organizations, including the parliament, in a bid to promote bilateral ties and friendship between the two peoples.

 

Prescott said that Britain-China relations have seen sound progress since Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. There are also great and positive changes occurring in China.

 

Britain will enhance cooperation with China in all sectors such as economy and trade, science, culture and education and will make contribution to world peace along with China as both members of the Security Council of the UN, he noted.

 

Prescott is in Beijing for a week-long official visit. It is his eighth visit to China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2006)