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October 14, 2015

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Xi’s visit to Britain set to promote new trade

CHINA and Great Britain are expected to make progress on trade and economic cooperation during President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit, while deals worth an “enormous” sum in areas including energy, cars and finance are set to be signed.

“The deals ... demonstrate the character of trade cooperation and its future,” Assistant Minister of Commerce Zhang Ji told a press briefing yesterday.

Britain is China’s second-largest trading partner, second-largest origin of actual investment and investment destination within the European Union, while China ranks as Britain’s fourth-largest trading partner.

Trade last year rose 15.3 percent from 2013 to US$80.9 billion. Britain is also the EU country with fastest-growing Chinese investment. More than 500 Chinese companies have invested in Britain.

“Better trade relations between China and Britain are important for our relations,” Zhang said.

The two countries should consolidate traditional trade and strengthen cooperation on investment projects, such as high-speed rail and nuclear power, he said.

Xi is scheduled to begin a five-day visit to Britain on Monday. It will be the first by a Chinese president for 10 years and will include stays in London and Manchester.

According to Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao, Xi will be welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II, review the royal horse guards, attend an unofficial luncheon and a welcoming banquet, hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron, meet leaders of opposition parties, and address a banquet hosted by Lord Mayor of London.

Asked whether China was concerned Britain might withdraw from the EU and whether Xi would bring this up in talks in London next week, Wang said: “China has resolutely and consistently supported the European integration process. So we would like to see Europe as one bloc and continue to play an even more important role in international affairs.”

China is particularly happy to see Britain support efforts to push an eventual China-EU free trade deal.

“We hope Britain continues to play a positive role in EU matters and pushes for high-tech exports to China and restrains the use of trade measures against China.”




 

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