CHENGDU, Dec. 4 -- Visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that he hopes more Chinese companies will invest in Britain.

After meeting Chinese leaders in Beijing and visiting east China's business hub of Shanghai, Cameron flew to Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Wednesday.

He said he was deeply impressed by the rapid development of Chengdu and that China's western regions faced development opportunities.

Cameron welcomed more Chinese companies to invest in Britain.

He said the purpose of his visit to China was to strengthen bilateral ties, promote exchanges between the people of the two countries and bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

During his stay in Chengdu, Cameron also visited the "Thatched Cottage" of Du Fu, a famous Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and had a meal at a local hot pot restaurant. He expressed his appreciation for ancient Chinese poetry and the spicy food.

Cameron arrived in Beijing early Monday morning for a three-day visit to China.