Britain key partner of China in Belt and Road Initiative: ambassador

With regard to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, Britain is a key partner of China and there are huge potential and unique resources for bilateral cooperation, Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming said Friday.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming. [File photo: Xinhua]

He made the remarks after briefing the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing last month at the Young Icebreakers 9th Anniversary Dinner in London.

Liu said the Belt and Road Initiative has become an international consensus and provided a new platform and a new highlight for China-Britain cooperation.

"Indeed, Britain as a key partner of the Belt and Road has unmatched strengths and unique resources, including an advanced financial industry, legal services and consulting, prestigious think tanks and universities, leading R&D and innovation platforms, language advantages, and close ties with countries along the Belt and Road routes," the ambassador said.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the ambassadorial ties between China and Britain, and it is also a year for consolidating the "Golden Era" of bilateral ties, Liu said.

"In such areas as new energy, urbanization and green finance, our cooperation is booming. Within the Belt and Road framework, we can jointly explore cooperation with a third party and in a third country. Our cooperation will be more than one plus one and will deliver benefits to people in China, in Britain and beyond," Liu said.

He also said the past years have witnessed growing exchanges between the two countries' young people and their active contribution to advancing China-Britain relations.

"I will count on the young icebreakers to be the champions of the Belt and Road. I will count on you to be active participants in the Belt and Road Initiative. I will count on you to be effective communicators for the Belt and Road Initiative," the ambassador said.

"As young people, you are energetic, vibrant and creative. Dynamic interaction between the young minds will lead to new and creative ideas. I believe that spreading positive energy and forging a closer people-to-people bond are exactly what we need in the Belt and Road," Liu said.