Chinese vice president meets British lawmaker

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao (R) meets with Lord Charles Powell, a member of the British House of Lords, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2016. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Jan. 27 -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met with Charles Powell, a member of the British House of Lords, on Wednesday.

Li said China-Britain relations are facing a rare opportunity for development this year, the first year of a new "golden era" of relations that began with President Xi Jinping's state visit to Britain in October last year.

The two sides should integrate China's Belt and Road Initiative with Britain's plan to upgrade infrastructure and cooperate in areas including nuclear power, finance and high speed rail, to push forward their global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century to a new high, Li said.

Powell spoke positively of the current bilateral relationship, saying Britain was ready to work with China to promote the development of the relations.