Reception celebrates the 45 years of China-UK ambassadorial relations

Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the UK speaking at a reception held in Lancaster House, London, on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.[Photo provided to China Plus]

The past 45 years have seen China-UK bilateral relations advancing by leaps and bounds, said Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the UK at a reception held in Lancaster House, London, on Wednesday.

In his opening remarks at the reception, Liu took a retrospective look at the progress the two countries have made during the past 45 years, which were highlighted by the establishment of a China-UK 'global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century' and the entering of a 'Golden Era' for all-round development. He said that the historic, leapfrogging advances have ensured a stable and healthy China-UK relationship over the decades.

Britain was the first major Western country to recognise and to trade with the New China, he said. It was also among the first to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, to issue an RMB sovereign bond as well as the first to welcome Chinese investors in the nuclear industry. On the other hand, Chinese investment in the UK has, for years in a row, outnumbered that in any other European country.

The Chinese ambassador noted that the two countries have always been able to seize the opportunity in times of change, to tap into the potential in areas unexplored, and to make a success out of it with creative moves.

In the past few years, China and UK have established a series of mechanisms including the annual Prime Minister's Meeting, the Economic and Financial Dialogue, the Strategic Dialogue and the High Level People to People Dialogue, to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. In 2015, the two countries also successfully co-hosted the China-UK Year of Culture Exchange.

The Chinese ambassador quoted a famous Chinese saying that 'A log does not make a mansion, and a river cannot fill the ocean.' to describe the strength of China-UK relations and called for the two countries to join hands in future developments.

The reception was held on the day the UK triggered its Brexit process for leaving the European Union, and the Chinese ambassador stressed that China stands ready to work with the UK and the EU as they are both very important partners with the country. At the same time, China hopes that the UK and the EU will reach a win-win agreement through negotiation and both will achieve successful growth in the years ahead.