Visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo on Thursday appealed to Britain for investment in infrastructure construction of China's northwest region, a vast territory boasting rich natural resources with a great potential for development.

The Chinese government is pushing the program with a focus on transportation, telecommunications, energy and environmental protection, where Britain has advantages, Wu said during talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at No.10 Downing Street.

China hopes for continued cooperation with both the British government and businesses, and closer economic and trade ties between the two countries, he said.

He added that Britain and China have great potential for cooperation since they are complimentary in many fields.

At the same time, the Chinese vice premier thanked London for its support in China's bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), and hailed the development in bilateral relations following Hong Kong's return to China.

Blair stressed that his country attaches great importance to its ties with China, and would like to further develop the relations in not only the field of economy and trade, but also in politics.

Wu met with Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Stephen Byers on Thursday morning. He arrived in London Tuesday for a five-day official visit before traveling to Belgium and Switzerland on his current Europe tour. (Xinhua)