A British parliamentary delegation, headed by Chairman of the
parliament's Britain-China Group Ben Chapman, concluded an
eleven-day visit to China on Sunday, after attending the second
meeting of the exchange mechanism between the Chinese and British
parliaments and visiting Beijing, Qinghai Province and the Tibet
Autonomous Region.
Vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National
People's Congress (NPC) Sheng Huaren met with the delegation, and
Vice-chairman of the NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee Ji Peiding
chaired talks with the delegation.
Sheng told Chapman that the NPC is ready to take the exchange
mechanism as a platform to strengthen practical dialogues with
Britain, in a bid to enhance mutual understanding and trust and
promote the in-depth development of China-Britain comprehensive
strategic partnership.
"China appreciates the British government's adherence to the
one-China policy, and hopes the British side fully understands the
fraudulence and riskiness of Taiwan authorities' push for
'independence' through 'constitution amendment' and referendum and
works with China to jointly safeguard peace and stability across
the Taiwan Strait," said Sheng.
He said he hoped the British parliament members can see clearly
the secessionist nature of the Dalai clique and keep on guard
against its political conspiracy, adding Dalai is a political exile
under the cloak of "religious leader."
Chapman said Britain attaches great importance to developing
relations with China and will not change its position of adhering
to the one-China policy.
He said Britain holds positive views of the economic and social
construction achievements in Tibet and the Chinese government's
efforts in protecting religious freedom, traditional culture and
biological environment in Tibet, saying its delegation had a better
understanding of Tibet's over-all situation thanks to this
visit.
Chapman said the British parliament will continue to develop
friendly exchanges with the NPC to jointly promote further
development of Britain-China parliamentary relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on education, energy and
environmental protection cooperation, the opening of financial
market and food security, according to the NPC's Foreign Affairs
Committee.
The two sides agreed to increase their meetings to two per
year.
The regular exchange mechanism between the parliaments of China
and Britain was set up in January, 2006.
(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2007)
