A top Chinese information official Monday emphasized the
importance of peace and development to the world's most populous
country during a trip to London.
Cai Wu (L), minister of the
Information Office of China's State Council shakes hands with
Britain's Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell before a welcoming banquet
of Sino-British Media Forum in London April 16, 2007.
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"Peace is the prerequisite for development, and development is
the key to solving all problems. Peace and development are the
inevitable choices of China's modernization effort," said Cai Wu,
Minister of the State Council Information Office at a welcoming
banquet of Sino-British Media Forum.
China sticks to peaceful development, which means to develop
itself while safeguarding world peace, and boost the world peace
through self-development, the minister pointed out.
On development, China aimed to build a relatively well-off
society during the first two decades of this century, noted Cai,
adding that "We plan to quadruple China's year-2000 GDP to about
US$4 trillion by 2020, with the per capita GDP reaching about
US$3,000."
China would try to further develop its economy, enhance the
democratic system and improve its science, education and cultural
development, so as to make it a harmonious society where people
enjoy a better life, continued Cai.
Defining building a harmonious society as a domestic goal, the
minister then talked about the country's external goal of promoting
a harmonious world with long-lasting peace and common
prosperity.
"Our objective of building a harmonious world is to build a
democratic, fair, just, honest, friendly, vigorous and orderly
society that is ruled by law and where humans and nature coexist
harmoniously," said he.
Cai Wu (R), minister of the Information
Office of China's State Council meets with British Minister of
State for Industry and the Regions Margaret Hodge in London April
16, 2007.
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Turning to Sino-British relations, Cai pointed out that the
successful settlement of the Hong Kong issue through peaceful
negotiations laid a solid foundation for the sound development of
the bilateral relationship, evidenced by frequent high-level visits
between the two countries.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and British Prime Minister Tony Blair
met four times in 2005 alone after the two countries decided to
establish the comprehensive strategic partnership in May, 2004,
elaborated Cai.
"After undergoing twists and turns in the past half a century,
Sino-British relationship is maturing and is at the best times in
history, Sino-British relationship is maturing and is at the best
times in history," said he.
On the economic front, Britain is China's third largest trade
partner in the EU, with bilateral trade volume exceeding US$30
billion by the end of 2006, the minister noted.
Cai went on to reveal that the two sides have reached an initial
agreement that "China Festival 2008," which will include series of
large-scale Chinese cultural activities, will be held in Britain
next year.
The event followed a Chinese Culture Year in 2004 and Chinese
culture seasons in the pursuing years, as well as various British
cultural activities held in China, including the display of the
collection of the British Museum.
Cai Wu (R), minister of the Information
Office of China's State Council meets with London Mayor Ken
Livingstone in London, April 16, 2007. ?
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Cai then called for more media exchanges between the countries
to promote the mutual understanding and friendship.
Mass media in the two countries have increased exchanges and
co-operation besides expanding coverage on the other country in the
past few years, helping strengthen mutual understanding and
friendship, noted the minister.
The speech followed a meeting between the minister and British
Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sunday at the 10 Downing Street, with
both sides stressing the importance of media exchanges in promoting
the mutual understanding between the two peoples.
Cai and his delegation from Chinese major media organizations
are in London for bilateral culture and media exchanges.
Cai Wu (R), minister of the Information
Office of the State Council, speaks at the Sino-British Media Forum
in London April 16, 2007. Cai hoped China and Britain will
strengthen media exchanges for mutual understanding and
friendship.
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(Chinadaily.com.cn April 17, 2007)
