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Chinese Vice-President Meets British Deputy PM
Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao met with John Prescott, visiting deputy prime minister and secretary of state of the environment, transport and regions of Britain, at the Great Hall of the People Monday afternoon.
Hu extended a warm welcome to Prescott and delivered an evaluation of bilateral ties, which, he said, have maintained sound development momentum in recent years.
High-level contacts between the two countries have deepened mutual understanding, while economic and trade relations have witnessed continuous progress, with trade volume increasing annually, said the Vice-President.
Hu also mentioned that because Britain is ahead of other European Union members in its investment in China, fruitful cooperation has been carried out in fields like culture and environment protection, and both countries have conducted close consultation on world affairs.
The state visit by President Jiang Zemin to Britain last year has lifted bilateral ties to a new stage, he stressed.
China and Britain, both permanent members of the UN Security Council and countries of great influence on world issues, should be good partners, Hu said, adding that China highly values its relations with Britain and hopes to further promote a healthy and steady friendship.
Prescott said the British side believes that a good relationship with China is of great significance to the peace and development of the whole world. He agreed with Hu that President Jiang's visit has forcefully stimulated ties.
He also expressed appreciation over the dramatic changes taking place in China as well its efforts in protecting the environment and trying to achieve sustainable development.
Prescott is visiting China at the invitation of Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo.
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