Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 30, 2003
Fourth UK-China Forum opens in Beijing
The fourth UK-China Forum opened Wednesday in Beijing with the aim of promoting mutual understanding and comprehensive development of the relations between China and Britain.
The fourth UK-China Forum opened Wednesday in Beijing with the aim of promoting mutual understanding and comprehensive development of the relations between China and Britain.
During the two-day gathering, participants from both countries,under the theme of "managing change, planning for the future", are slated to discuss issues concerning China's economy, reform of China's state-owned enterprises, finance and insurance, as well asthe establishment of a global business system.
Song Jian, former vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and co-chairman of the UK-China Forum, spoke at the opening ceremony.
Song said the UK-China Forum has contributed much to the sound progress of Sino-British relations since its establishment. The fourth meeting will summarize the previous three meetings and focus its discussion on industry and finance this time, which willbe more effective and concentrated, he said.
Michael Heseltine, former British deputy prime minister and co-chairman of the forum, said that since the launch of the UK-China Forum in 1999, bilateral relations have continued to progress fromstrength to strength.
"Managing change, planning for the future" will involve close cooperation and sharing between Britain and China, Heseltine said.
The forum, a high-level, non-governmental gathering, was initiated by heads of government of China and Britain in 1998 when British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited China.