Chinese President Hu Jintao met British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday in Toronto, Canada, to advance bilateral relations.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with British Prime Minister David Cameron in Toronto, Canada, June 26, 2010. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and regional and international issues of common concern and reached important consensus.

China views Britain as a partner for international cooperation and the two countries have established a fairly complete mechanism of exchanges, Hu said.

The two countries have maintained high-level contacts and achieved fruitful results in cooperation in various fields, he added.

Hu said the hard-earned situation of bilateral relations should be cherished by the two sides.

Given that the global financial crisis has not yet subsided and global problems have become increasingly prominent, China and Britain have broad common interests in propelling the full recovery of the world economy and coping with global challenges, he stressed.

The two countries should have a long-term perspective in handling bilateral relations so as to make bilateral cooperation better benefit the two peoples, he said.

Given differences in social systems, cultural tradition and development model, it is natural that the two countries differ on some issues, Hu said.

As long as the two sides strengthen dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and equality, accommodate each other's major concern and properly settle differences, China and Britain will be able to carry forward their comprehensive strategic partnership on a healthy and stable track, he added.