Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his British counterpart, Jack Straw, held talks in London on Thursday, agreeing to further promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Tang said China-Britain relations saw a sustained development in recent years thanks to the close contacts between leaders of the two countries. Last October, he said, Vice President Hu Jintao paid a successful visit to Britain, which further enhanced the common understanding on bilateral relations and international issues.
He said bilateral trade and investment from Britain to China increased as a result of more bilateral exchanges in all fields and at all levels.
The foreign minister said cooperation between China and Britain is well-based and boasts great potential. China is willing to promote the long-term and stable development of comprehensive partnership with Britain, he said
Speaking of international situation and regional conflicts, Tang said the terrorist attacks against the US on September 11 last year shows that uncertain factors in international relations increased with the world plagued by terrorism, multinational crime,climate change, poverty and other problems.
In order to safeguard durable security in the world, he said, China stands for a new security concept with the idea of seeking security through mutual trust and developing cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit as its core elements.
Straw said it is very important for Britain and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, to develop bilateral friendship and increase consultations and cooperation on international affairs.
(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2002)
