British PM ends visit to China

Source: CCTV.com | 01-20-2008 11:57

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has concluded his three-day visit to China in Shanghai, before heading to India on Sunday. During his trip, leaders from the two countries agreed to strengthen exchanges and add momentum to the bilateral partnership.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown held talks on Friday. Hu said that Sino-British relations are developing and that strategic and diplomatic dialogue between the two countries is working effectively.

Brown agreed with Hu and emphasized his country's stance on the One-China policy will not change.

In a separate meeting, top legislator Wu Bangguo told Brown that communication between the two countries will help to promote understanding and expand bilateral ties. Brown said Britain values these contacts, especially those involving the exchange of young politicians.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also met with Brown on Friday. The partnership was strengthened by regular financial and economic dialogue, from a ministerial level all the way to the Vice Prime Minister's level. And the two are confident their trade volume will hit 60 billion US dollars by 2010.

The two countries signed 8 documents on trade and investment, education and academia, energy and the environment, climate change and co-operation for the Olympics. Brown said he hopes Chinese businesses will invest in the UK.

Before heading for Shanghai, Brown paid a visit to the Renmin University of China where he chatted with students. He also toured Olympic Stadium, the Bird's Nest.

During his stay in Shanghai over the weekend, Gordon Brown attended the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding on the joint Sino-British project to build the world's first eco-city on Shanghai's Chongming Island. Brown said the project shows Britain and China have entered an era of increased cooperation. He said Britain hopes to use the project to transfer many new environmental protection technologies to China.

It was Brown's first visit to China as Britain's Prime Minister since he took office last June.

Editor:Zhang Ning