Chinese diplomat calls for enhanced China-UK investment cooperation

LONDON - Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming on Thursday urged his country and Britain to enhance cooperation in an array of areas ranging from infrastructure investment to international financial framework and build stronger political mutual trust.

In a signed article published by the Daily Telegraph, Liu said that China and Britain can enhance cooperation in a number of fields, from infrastructure investment and international financial framework, to cooperation on taxation, anti-corruption and anti-microbial resistance.

"Our joint efforts in these areas will be essential in the G20's transition from an organization for crisis control to an institution of long-term governance," he said.

His remarks came ahead of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. The summit will see Theresa May make her first China visit since taking office as the new British prime minister.

Liu said that China and Britain have a wide range of consensus regarding the objectives of the summit and are ready to cooperate as their cooperation on G20 issues is becoming a fruitful showcase of their global comprehensive strategic partnership.

"The UK, famed for its innovative and creative spirit, chairs the G20 innovation working group that is responsible for making a G20 blueprint for innovation--driven growth," he said, adding that China and Britain can work together to push the summit to adopt the document.

On trade and investment, the ambassador said that China and Britain can work together to push the summit to approve the Strategy for Global Trade Growth and the guiding principles for global investment policies.

These concrete efforts would strengthen multilateral trade regime and reinforce the effective coordination of investment policies between different countries, he said.

Also on Thursday, a separate signed article by Liu was carried by the China Daily UK Edition inaugural issue and its website.

The ambassador in the article called on both China and Britain to make continuous efforts to build stronger political mutual trust.

"Mutual trust is the foundation for cooperation," he said. "Progress in China-UK bilateral ties is always powered by mutual understanding, support and friendship between our two peoples."

Liu also urged the two countries to stay committed to open and results-based cooperation and stay true to a global vision.