Relations between China and the United Kingdom (UK) will not be affected by the impending change in the British cabinet, Chinese analysts said on Tuesday.

 

British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced last Thursday that he would resign on July 27, ending a tumultuous decade in power.

 

"Blair adopted a pragmatic approach toward China during his 10years in office, and this had a positive effect on Sino-British relations," said Ma Zhengang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK from 1997 to 2002.

 

Sino-British ties have developed well in recent years, with mechanisms setting up for high-level reciprocal visits and political dialogue as well as wide-ranging pragmatic cooperation, Ma said.

 

Blair, 54, will stand down in June after 10 years in power which started with the handover of Hong Kong to China on July 1, 1997.

 

"Hong Kong, which used to be a sensitive topic in China-UK relations, is now seen as a bridge linking China and the UK," Ma told Xinhua, saying the British government fully acknowledges the remarkable developments that have taken place in Hong Kong since China resumed the exercise of sovereignty in 1997.

 

Echoing Ma's remarks, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, who will start an official visit to China on Wednesday, praised the "achievements of the people of Hong Kong" over the past 10 years.

 

Relations between Britain and China are now "in the best shape ever", Beckett told Xinhua in an exclusive interview before heading to China, noting plenty of evidence to "back it up."

 

Among European Union (EU) members, the UK ranks as China's third trading partner, following Germany and the Netherlands, with bilateral trade volume of US$30.67 billion in 2006. Meanwhile UK direct investment to China tops US$14 billion, making it the largest European investor in China.

 

Voices are being heard in the UK urging China to shoulder more responsibility in international issues, said Feng Zhongping, an expert on European studies with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

 

Despite the favorable environment for Sino-UK growth, analysts warned of the influence of the EU and the United States on UK policy toward China, especially in regard to the difficult issues of the recognition of Chinese market economy status and the EU arms embargo.

 

Gordon Brown, Blair's finance minister and Blair's most likely successor, is not expected to make any substantial changes in the country's foreign policy, Feng said.

 

"Blair is a pioneer who has been ready to challenge some traditional conceptions, whereas Brown is more cautious in his political style," Feng said. "But he is as pragmatic as Blair when it comes to foreign policy."

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2007)