- Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin met in London October 21 with Betty Boothroyd, the speaker of British house of commons, and the two held friendly talks.

　 Betty Boothroyd called on Jiang in the Buckingham Palace where the Chinese head of state is staying as a guest of Queen Elizabeth II.

　 The speaker firstly expressed her warm welcome to President Jiang, who arrived in London October 18 for a state visit.

　 Recalling her recent visit to China, Boothroyd said she saw with her own eyes the vitality of China as a great nation, which she had never seen in the recent 20 years.

　 The speaker said she would try her utmost to promote the development of Sino-British relations.

　 During the meeting, Jiang expressed his appreciation to the speaker for her positive role in enhancing bilateral ties.

　 Jiang said that Sino-British relations are showing good momentum of development with frequent contacts between the leaders of the two countries and there are broad prospects for their further cooperation.

　 At the request of Boothroyd, Jiang briefed the parliament speaker on the current economic and social developments in China.

　 Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan attended the meeting. (Xinhua).