Gu Xiulian, president of the All-China Women's Federation, said in London on Sunday that the relations between China and Britain are the best ever.

Gu, also vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, made the remarks on the eve of the China-UK Women's Cultural Festival to be launched on Monday.

In recent years, she said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua, the Sino-British comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained a momentum of healthy development, with increasing political dialogues, steady economic cooperation and active cultural exchanges.

According to Gu, stronger times between the two countries are not only in the best interests of the two peoples, but also conducive to lasting peace and global harmony.

She regarded "China Now," the six-month celebration of the Chinese culture across Britain in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics in August an "exciting and valuable" event. The president believed that the UK-initiated celebrations, widely deemed as the biggest of its kind in British history, will enhance people's understanding about China, laying a firmer foundation for more unofficial exchanges in every field.

Exchanges between women in the two countries, according to Gu, has been very active and effective. To further their understanding and friendship, she said, "We would live to take advantage of China Now to launch the China-UK Women's Cultural Festival, showcasing the achievements of Chinese women since the country's opening up and reform at the end of 1970s."

The upcoming festival is the result of exchanges and cooperation between women in both China and Britain over the years. Gu hopes the festival will serve as a new starting point for cultural and unofficial exchanges between the two sides, setting up a platform for more pragmatic cooperation in the future.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2008)