British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said here on Tuesday that Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao's official visit to Britain will further promote the development of relations between the two countries.
During a meeting with Hu on Tuesday evening, Prescott said the Chinese vice-president's on-going visit to Britain is another important event in bilateral relations following the successful visits to the country by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and PremierZhu Rongji.
Noting that China is a country commanding great influence in the world, Prescott said Britain is willing to increase exchanges and cooperation with China in all fields.
Hu Jintao said that in recent years, leaders of the two countries have exchanged views and coordinated their stance on major issues frequently and by various ways, and this has played an important role in promoting the development of bilateral relations.
Hu said that his meetings with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Tony Blair and prominent businessmen and figures from other circles over the past two days showed that both sides attach great importance to the all-round development of China-Britain partnership and are determined to make concerted efforts to safeguard world peace and promote development in the world.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Chinese vice-president met with Duncan Smith, leader of the British Conservative Party. Hu praised the efforts made by the Conservative Party for the development of Sino-British relations over the years.
Noting that the Conservative Party has made contributions to the Sino-British ties whether it was in power or in opposition, Huexpressed the hope that the party will continue to help push forward the relations between the two countries.
Smith said his party will make further contributions to Sino-British relations.
Hu also had separate meetings with Lord Michael Heseltine, the chairman of the China-UK Forum and former British deputy prime minister, and Edward Heath, the former British prime minister.
( Xinhua News Agency 10/31/2001)
