China-UK relationship grows ever stronger
- By Xu Qinduo
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E-mail CRI, April 14, 2015
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[By Song Chen/China Daily] |
British exports to China have grown so strongly that the UK government decided to appoint its first agriculture and food counselor in China to explore more opportunities in the world's second largest economy. The Chinese demand for British milk, pork, Yorkshire tea and salmon brought about a 12-percent jump in food exports to China last year. British pork producers are looking at selling pig's trotters to China, where the products are popular and the market is massive.
This is just one aspect of the all-around relationship between China and the UK. The two economies are complementary, with Britain enjoying strength in the creative sector, technology and financial management and China boasting a market soon to be the largest for almost everything Britain produces.
There's also strategic consideration on both sides to build a long-term strong bilateral relationship. One example has been the UK taking the lead in joining the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and thus becoming the first major Western power endorsing the financial institution.
In explaining the decision to become a founding member of the bank, British Chancellor George Osborne said, "Joining the AIIB at the founding stage will create an unrivalled opportunity for the UK and Asia to invest and grow together."
The British decision is wise on many accounts; it will secure better opportunities to influence the policies of the bank from inside rather than the absurd theory of being an influencing force from outside the bank. It will also beef up Britain's presence in Asia, where the world's most dynamic economies are located. Tremendous good will has also been handed to the UK on behalf of China. The fact that other Western countries followed suit to join the bank reveals the strategic wisdom of the UK in exploring a long-term and future-oriented relationship with China.
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