The United Kingdom (UK) will seek closer ties with China in its bid to make the country one of the leading business partners in the world of economic globalization, a senior trade official has said.

 

"China, with its massive influence in global trade, is of great importance to the UK's trade and industry, which is attempting to attract a new wave of high-value investment," Alistair Darling, Britain's secretary of state for trade and industry, said at the weekend prior to his visit to China.

 

Darling, who will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, is on his first visit to China's mainland. Darling, who will lead a 15-strong delegation, said that Sino-British trade ties would be strengthened through mutual investment and not just trade.

 

The UK, whose manufacturing industry has shrunk significantly during economic readjustment in past decades, finds that it has opportunities in assisting China in fields like environment protection and power plant construction.  

 

The British trade and industry leader said globalization provides a tremendous opportunity for both the UK and China, in which both countries could cooperate to curb climate change and improve bilateral trade.

 

Darling was appointed Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, replacing Alan Johnson in a government reshuffle, in May.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2006)