China, UK vow to push 'golden-era' ties forward

President Xi Jinping greets British Prime Minister Theresa May during the G20 Summit in Hangzhou. [WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY]

President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Theresa May vowed on Monday to continue pushing forward "golden-era relations", setting the tone for the bilateral ties in May's government.

Meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou, Xi said the two countries should maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication and comprehensive planning, and deepen understanding.

He suggested Beijing and London push forward cooperation in sectors including investment, energy, infrastructure and emerging fields such as urbanization, high-tech and clean energy.

He called on the two nations to discuss setting up a legal enforcement cooperation mechanism and to jointly fight corruption.

"Both sides should boost mutual political trust, expand joint interests and properly handle differences," Xi said.

It was May's first visit to China since she took office.

She followed her predecessor David Cameron in using the term "golden-era relations" with China.

After taking office,May suspended construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, the partly Chinese-funded nuclear project in southwest England.

She said: "I've been clear that the decision about Hinkley will be taken later this month. Our relations with China are about more than Hinkley if you look at the investment from China in various other parts of the United Kingdom."

Xi congratulated May on her inauguration as prime minister.

As important members of international organizations such as the United Nations Security Council and the G20, enhanced cooperation between China and Britain will benefit not only people of the two nations but also global peace and development, Xi said.

He asked the two nations to increase cooperation on key international issues and on frameworks such as the UN, G20 and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

May said in a media release: "Britain and China are in a golden era in developing bilateral ties. The two countries have broad fields for cooperation with huge potential."

She said she expected to boost mutual understanding and trust with China and enhance cooperation in fields including trade, investment, finance, security and legal enforcement.