British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sunday met with visiting
Cai Wu, minister of the Chinese Information Office of State Council
and his media delegation.
During the meeting at the 10 Downing Street, Blair said such a
Chinese media delegation visiting UK would certainly further
enhance the mutual understanding between the two peoples, and
improve the development of Sino-British relations.
Since Beijing and London are about to hold Olympic Games in 2008
and 2012 respectively, media exchanges between China and UK would
play a very important role in ensuring the success of the Games,
said Blair.
As for the relations between the two countries, Blair said the
bilateral relations were of strategic significance, and China has
played a key role in such international and regional issues as
climate change, counter-terrorism, and nuclear dispute in North
Korea.
Cai said China and Britain have enjoyed a good momentum in
development of their bilateral relations, and there are still much
room for improvement of media exchanges between the two
countries.
Strengthening media exchanges is very important for the mutual
understanding between the Chinese and British people, Cai
added.
Talking about Hong Kong, Blair insisted that this year is the
10th anniversary of China's resumption of exercise of sovereignty
over Hong Kong, and the best celebration for this is to continue to
maintain stability and prosperity there.
At the meeting, Blair also praised the success of Premier Wen
Jiabao's visit to Japan on April 11-13.
Cai and his delegation from Chinese major media organizations
are visiting London for culture and media exchanges between China
and Britain. And they will also attend the Sino-British Media
Forum.
(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2007)
