Premier urges China-UK coordination on int'l affairs

DALIAN, Sept. 11 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for more communication and coordination between China and Britain on international and regional affairs.

China and the UK are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and countries of major influence. It is in both countries' interests to deepen bilateral cooperation and to strengthen communication and coordination on international affairs, Li said.

He made the remarks while meeting with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown after addressing the opening ceremony of the annual Summer Davos Forum, which is being held in the city of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Li welcomed Brown's attendance at the forum and spoke highly of Brown's contributions to the development of China-UK relations during his term as prime minister.

Li said he hoped the two sides would respect each others' core concerns, enhance mutual trust and push forward bilateral ties. He also called on Brown to play a constructive role to this end.

Brown spoke positively of China's reform and its important contribution to realizing UN Millennium Development Goals. He said China's reform is conducive to global economic development and financial stability and should be supported by the international community.

Brown added that he will continue to make efforts to increase friendly exchange and communication between the two peoples.