China and Britain are seeing more and more common strategic interests between them and their deepened bilateral relationship is in accordance with social requirements and the wishes of their people, said Fu Ying, China's Ambassador to Britain. For the UK, China's development is an opportunity that will trigger its own development; while for China, Britain is an important cooperative partner, she said.

The Sino-British relationship is at an opportunity point for future cooperation, the top Chinese diplomat in Britain said. Fu stressed that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's official visit to China would push the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, after Brown and Chinese leaders exchanged ideas on bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, science and education, climate change, energy-saving initiatives, environmental protection and the Olympic Games.

Fu pointed out that the Sino-British relationship has four characteristics: First, dialogues among top leaders are frequent. Second, the two countries have more and more common understandings between them. Third, their trade and investment volumes are steadily growing. And fourth, they have very active cultural exchanges.

China and Britain could jointly make more efforts in two major areas, Fu said. They should cooperate on developing service exchanges and technology trading and promoting understanding among their peoples.

"Friendship between the two peoples is one of the basic elements that cement the bilateral relations," Fu said, adding that both governments' officials and citizens have a strong desire to get to know more about each other's magnificent civilization.

The ties between the two countries also are characterized by their strongly complementary economies, Fu said. China's economy and export products are based mostly on its processing industry, while Britain's advantage is its service industry. China would give priority to enhancing its cooperation on the service aspect, education, finance, scientific research, technological innovations and environmental protection over the next few years, she said. China expects to strengthen its cooperation with Britain in these areas.

Fu pointed out that because Britain sticks to a free trade policy and opposes protectionism in the finance and investment sectors, its attitude on Chinese enterprises' investment in Britain is fairly supportive.

Beijing and London will successively host the Olympic Games, which will be a good opportunity for the two countries to enlarge their trade and economic cooperation as well as boost communication among government and grassroots levels, Fu said. She suggested China and Britain consider possible cooperation on building Olympic sports fields and stadiums and Chinese architecture firms find business opportunities in Britain.

Fu also said both countries should hold more art exhibitions and cultural activities of high quality and greater influence, such as the successful exhibition of terracotta army at the British Museum. The Spring Festival celebration in London and Chinese art exhibits at the Edinburgh Art Festival are famous cultural and influential activities held annually, which can promote the British people's understanding of Chinese culture.

With further opening up and the coming of the Beijing Olympic Games, the Chinese are more eager to learn English. Meanwhile, in Britain, many schools are planning to offer Chinese language courses to their students. This provides great opportunities for the two countries to cooperate in the educational arena, especially in language training, Fu said.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)