Britain says it's a natural partner for China's new Silk Road

British Chancellor Philip Hammond has said that Britain is a natural partner for China's new Silk Road program.

Speaking at the Belt and Road Forum on Sunday, Hammond said as the UK leaves the European Union it wants more trade with the world.

"Our ambition is for more trade not less trade, and China clearly shares this ambition. I strongly support President Xi's ambition to have mutually beneficial free trade agreements in place with 40 percent of belt and road countries by the end of this year," said Hammond.

Philip Hammond speaks at the “Belt and Road” Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, on May 14, 2017. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

Hammond added that the UK can provide financial support to infrastructure building under the program.

"The scale of infrastructure investment required cannot be met by public financing alone and the UK I believe can be a natural partner in delivering this infrastructure by supporting the finance, the design and the delivery needed to make the vision a reality," said Hammond.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK ambassadorial diplomatic relations.

Statistics show that China is Britain's second-largest trading partner outside the EU, while Britain is China's largest investment destination in Europe.

China is one of the countries Britain hopes to sign a free trade agreement with once it leaves the EU.