China, Britain vow to upgrade cultural, educational exchanges

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (L) shakes hands with British Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt during the third meeting of the China-Britain high-level cultural exchange mechanism in London, Britain, on Sept. 17, 2015. Liu Yandong and Jeremy Hunt on Thursday co-chaired the meeting. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, Sept. 18 -- China and Britain have pledged to comprehensively upgrade cultural and educational communication at a meeting of a high-level cultural exchange mechanism held here Thursday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and British Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt.

Liu said that with joint efforts, China-Britain cultural and educational exchanges have been further deepened and that the mechanism has boosted the friendship between the two nations and played an irreplaceable role in pushing forward their relationship.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has been invited to pay a state visit to Britain soon, which will be an important milestone for China-Britain relations, Liu said.

Given the new situation, both China and Britain need a comprehensive upgrade of cultural and educational exchanges, Liu said.

To that end, China and Britain should improve top-level design and systematic planning, give emphasis to both government and non-government vehicles, and embrace common people, Liu said.

Liu also noted that the two countries should expand educational cooperation, enhance innovation collaboration on the strategic level, put the innovative industry as the key driver for cultural cooperation.

She also highlighted the need for cooperation in health, media, sports, tourism, exchanges between young people and between local authorities.

Hunt said that since the dialogue mechanism launched three years ago, the two countries have conducted a wide range of cooperation.

The mechanism has made remarkable achievements, enhanced the understanding of the two peoples, and also showed the great potential of the bilateral relations, he said.

Hunt pledged to work with China to continue pushing forward this important mechanism.

Liu and Hunt signed a joint statement and witnessed the signing of several agreements.