Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday hailed the trade and economic ties
between China and Britain, expressing great confidence in the
further development of bilateral relations.
In a speech delivered to the British business community shortly
after arriving in London for a working visit, Wen said
China-British economic relations have been growing rapidly over the
years.
In 1980, bilateral trade volume was a mere US$1 billion, Wen
said, adding that it reached US$24.5 billion last year and it could
well surpass US$30 billion this year.
Noting that British businesses are making great strides in
China, he said British Petroleum, Shell, Unilever and British
Telecom are increasing their investment in China. Seven British
financial institutions are also involved in the development of
China's banking sector.
Investment from British entrepreneurs amounted to US$13.5
billion, said Wen, adding that British companies have not only
brought to China capital, technology and managerial expertise, but
also their friendship to the Chinese people.
Even with the rapid growth of China-Britain business ties, great
potential still remains to be tapped, the premier said.
He urged the British business community to further the trade
ties just as the "ice-breakers" in the early days of our relations"
to take bilateral business relations to a new level.
After his speech made before a dinner organized by the
China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), Wen also answered questions
raised by entrepreneurs regarding innovation, clean energy in China
and the competitiveness of British businesses in the country.
CBBC is Britain's leading agency helping British companies do
business in China. It is a business-led partnership between
government and industry with a proven track record of developing
British trade in China dating back to the 1950s.
With some 400 British company members, it delivers a range of
practical, cost-effective services to British companies wishing to
export goods and services to, invest in, or establish manufacturing
under license arrangements with China.
(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2006)
