China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Beijing Wednesday that China and Britain, having established an all-round strategic partnership, are witnessing a sound development of bilateral relations.

The two countries have been keeping fast trade growth and active exchanges and cooperation in culture and education, said Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, when meeting with British Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State John Prescott.

Prescott arrived in Beijing Tuesday evening for a five-day official visit to China.

Wu said the further development of bilateral relations not only benefits the two countries but also the relations between China and the European Union.

Exchange between the parliaments of the two countries is an important part of bilateral relations, he said. The NPC is willing to enhance ties with British parliament so as to boost all-round development of bilateral relations.

Prescott said Britain is happy and satisfied with the development of bilateral relations, and is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of the economy and trade, science and technology, environmental protection, energy and education.

This is Prescott's seventh visit to China. Besides Beijing, he will also visit the cities of Shenyang, Dalian and Hong Kong.

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2004)