World positive about development of China-Britain ties following Xi's interview with Reuters

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's positioning and expectation of China-Britain relations in a recent interview by Reuters has been encouraging, experts in Britain and Europe said.

Experts showed confidence in the development of the China-Britain relationship, and deeper and wider development of cooperation in economy and trade, finance and culture, which would push forward the development of the China-EU relationship.

In the interview prior to his state visit to Britain, Xi answered questions on the China-Britain relationship, financial cooperation, Chinese enterprises going out, anti-corruption cooperation, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the South China Sea issue and China's economic situation.

EXPANDING TRADE AND INVESTMENT, DEEPENING FINANCIAL COOPERATION

Enhancing financial cooperation with London would definitely be a mutually beneficial option, Xi said, noting that such cooperation between the two countries started early, developed fast and has great potential.

As long as conditions allow, China is willing to actively consider strengthening the connection of financial markets in the two countries, Xi said.

A consultant at the Britain-China Trade Association, Peng Andong, said he hopes Xi's visit in Britain will further promote the two countries' cooperation in the fields of finance, economy and trade.

Peng pointed out that London has become a real stage for internationalization of the RMB, with about two thirds of the RMB settlement in areas outside the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong done in London.

Ramon Pardo, senior lecturer at King's College London and co-director of the London Asia Pacific Center for Social Science, said the British and Chinese economic activities are highly complementary.

China's plan of the RMB internationalization highly fits Britain's policy to build London as a world financial center, and offers support to it, he said, nothing that the future Britain-China economic ties would be stronger.

President of the Britain-China Trade Association Bo Zhongsen said the British business community is very much looking forward to Xi's visit, and British and Chinese enterprises will see broader cooperation opportunities in the near future.

The Belt and Road Initiative could reshape global trade and investment in the coming years, and Britain will be China's ideal cooperation partner in that regard, Bo said.

STRENGTHENING COOPERATION

The China-Britain cooperation in such industries as nuclear power and high-speed railways has also drawn widespread attention. Xi said China stands ready to carry out cooperation in capacity and equipment manufacturing with all countries including Britain in order to achieve comprehensive development by linking the comparative advantage of each side.

"The Sino-UK relationship has become very comprehensive since they signed their strategic partnership," said Pardo at the Department of European and International Studies of King's College London, adding that "Chinese and British economic initiatives complement each other very well."

"The UK government's infrastructure investment plans, especially in the North, sit well with the Chinese government's efforts to promote outward investment. Thus, it seems that economic relations will keep on strengthening," Pardo said.

As a result of these cooperation projects, according to Pardo, "British perceptions of China have been improving over the past few years."

Stephen Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that the Chinese president's interview with Reuters shows China's serious intent for a major relationship with the United Kingdom.

The chairman matches China's global leadership and prioritization of nuclear energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, and high-speed trains as a natural fit with British needs.

Perry added that through the interview, Xi sends the clear message that China's transition to a global economy based on market forces is a timely chance for Britain to strike a special economic relationship with China.

This visit should reinforce the positive direction of travel that both governments want, Perry stressed.

"As the Chinese economy that reshapes entirely new opportunities are emerging in different sectors and across the vast country that China is," said Stephen Phillips, chief executive of the China-Britain Business Council.

"So many of us in Britain have had our minds opened and our hearts uplifted when we have encountered the ancient civilization of China and seen its dynamic modern growth," said Judith McClure, convener of the Scotland China Education Network, adding that "it is essential that we do all we can to increase mutual understanding and to open up commercial, investment, educational and cultural links."

"I hope that Mr. Xi's encounters in his visit will give rise to new and long-lasting partnerships between our countries," McClure said.

BRIGHT FUTURE

This year marks the second 10-year comprehensive partnership for the two countries as well as the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Britain ties. Xi stressed that the good China-Britain relationship bodes well for the good China-Europe ties.

"Recognition of China as a global and regional strategic player is growing very much in Europe," said Shada Islam, director of policy at Brussels-based think-tank Friends of Europe, in a recent interview.

Islam upheld that the China-EU ties are based on a fundamental and indispensable necessity.

China and the EU have scored fruitful progress in cooperation since the two sides forged ties 40 years ago, and their leaders have worked out a good road-map for the future, which is based on practical and pragmatic cooperation in areas that the two sides have mutual benefit, such as China's initiative of One Belt and One Road, the EU's Juncker investment plan, innovation, 5G telecommunication technology, education, energy links, urbanization, and smart cities, she said.

The potential for China-EU cooperation is immense, not just in business and economic cooperation, but also on global stage, Islam said.

There has been good cooperation so far over Iran, and both sides are hoping to get similar dialogue going on the Korean Peninsula and need to settle the havoc in Syria, she said.

China is not only an indispensable player economically, but also strategically and politically, Islam added.