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Hu, Blair reach consensus on furthering bilateral ties
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-10 10:13
LONDON -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and British Prime Minister Tony Blair
reached vital consensus on Wednesday on promoting the existing comprehensive
strategic partnership to a higher level.
During their talks at No. 10 Downing Street, the two leaders had thorough
exchanges and expressed their satisfaction over the good momentum of
China-British relations.
Hu said the establishment of strategic partnership between China and Britain
in 2004 ushers in a new stage for the development of bilateral relations. Since
then, the two sides have sustained high-level political dialogues and
consultations on sustainable development. Trade and economic co-operations have
yielded new results and the two countries have maintained good coordination and
collaboration.
Hu reiterated that China attaches great importance to its relations with
Britain, and China's development is an opportunity to Britain. He suggested that
the two countries regard bilateral relationship from a long-term and strategic
perspective by keepingthe current momentum of high-level exchanges, particularly
the annual meetings of the leadership and foreign ministers, as well as
exchanges between legislative institutions and political parties.
Political dialogue and co-operation on global issues such as sustainable
development, poverty alleviation, climate change, freetrade should also be
enhanced within the multi-lateral framework of the United Nations, the World
Trade Organization and Asia-Europe Meeting, Hu said.
The Chinese president also suggested that bilateral co-operation be further
expanded from the current priority areas of trade and investment, finance,
energy, science and technology, education and culture, environmental protection
and sustainable development, to cover for instance bird flu prevention and the
preparation for the Olympics.
In addition, Hu suggested that the China-British task forces play a more
active role to address common concerns on the basis of mutual respect, equality
and mutual benefit in a bid to boost understanding and narrow differences.
Blair on his part, fully recognized the strong momentum in bilateral
relations, saying Hu's important visit will definitely push forward the overall
cooperation between the two countries.
He said his successful visit to China in September has reassured that China's
rapid development is not a threat, but an important opportunity.
On China-EU relations, Hu said, a closer overall strategic partnership is of
major significance to world peace, stability and prosperity.
"We hope to see European Union plays a more important role on issues
pertaining to Europe and the world as a whole," Hu noted.
Blair said the EU attaches much importance to further its relations with
China, and will make further efforts to address issues of China's concerns.
The two leaders also exchanged views on major regional and international
issues.
After the meeting, Hu and Blair attended the signing ceremony of the joint
communique of the fifth meeting of Sino-British Tradeand Investment Joint
Committee as well as documents of aviation cooperation.
State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Britain's Deputy Prime Minister John
Prescott were present at the meeting.
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