Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister
Tony Blair Monday hailed the comprehensive strategic partnership
between the two countries and pledged to work closely to further
strengthen bilateral relations.
Addressing a joint news conference with Blair at 10 Downing
Street, Wen told reporters that China and Britain have agreed to
consolidate and strengthen cooperation as follows:
Firstly, China and Britain have agreed to establish a mechanism
on exchange of visits of government leaders.
"Prime Minster Blair has agreed to make a visit to China next
year, which will start the mechanism," Wen said.
Secondly, the two sides have agreed to intensify discussions on
important strategic issues such as fighting terrorism, promoting
nonproliferation, protecting environment and ensuring sustained
development.
The two sides would increase cooperation in investment and
trade, finance, science and technology, education, environmental
protection and agriculture.
The two sides have also agreed to establish a mechanism aimed at
addressing disputes and improving mutual understanding through
dialogue.
Wen, who earlier in the day held talks with Blair on bilateral
and global issues, said the meeting was fruitful.
China and Britain would further follow out their common stands
and are sure to see a step forward in bilateral relations based on
the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and
win-win, Wen said.
June will see the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between
China and Britain, he added.
On the issue of human rights, Wen said the Chinese government
has always attached great importance to respecting and protecting
human rights.
China has included a provision of respecting human rights into
its constitution and beefed up efforts to promote democratic
political reform and intensify construction of its judicial system,
Wen added.
On the issue of Iraq, Wen pointed out that China is very
concerned about what is happening in the war-torn country.
To resolve the issue, Wen said, power transfer must be
guaranteed to ensure that the Iraqi people rule Iraq by
themselves.
It is very important for the United Nations to play an important
role in the country and stability must be restored to boost the
reconstruction process in Iraq, he added.
Wen also told reporters that Blair, on behalf of his government,
has expressed a positive stance toward the full market economy
status that the European Union is considering to grant China.
"It is time for the European Union to lift arms embargo on China
and give China full market status... To solve the issue is not only
beneficial to China but also to Europe," Wen stressed.
Blair told reporters that he was very impressed by the economic
development in China during his trip to China last year.
China is already and will be an even greater force in the world,
Blair said, adding that his government would adopt right steps to
improve the understanding of China by the British people.
What is important for developing bilateral relations between
China and Britain is not just to enhance commercial ties, but also
to develop cultural exchanges, Blair said.
Before the news conference, the two governments issued a joint
statement envisaging closer cooperation on bilateral, multilateral
and global issues.
Earlier in the day, Blair hosted a Guard of Honor ceremony for
Wen in the Quadrangle in the compound of the British Office, before
holding talks with Wen.
Wen's visit to Britain, the first since he took office one year
ago, is the fourth leg of his five-nation European tour, which has
taken him to Germany, Belgium and Italy. He will fly to Ireland on
Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2004)