Premier Wen Jiabao and his British counterpart Tony Blair on
Tuesday exchanged congratulations on the 35th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level
between the two countries.
In his message, Wen said that thanks to the efforts of both
sides, China-Britain relations have grown steadily in the past 35
years and both countries have in particular enjoyed high-level and
extensive cooperation since the forging of comprehensive strategic
partnership in 2004.
The important bilateral mechanisms such as the annual meetings
between the Chinese premier and the British prime minister, the
China-Britain Task Force and the Strategic Dialogue are functioning
smoothly, he said.
The two countries also enjoy ever-deepening cooperation in key
areas such as trade, education, science and technology, culture,
the Olympic games, environmental protection and sustainable
development, said Wen.
As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and
Britain have shared interest in and responsibility for upholding
world peace and stability and security and promoting common
development and prosperity, Wen said.
China will continue to work with Britain to strengthen their
comprehensive strategic partnership and usher in an even brighter
future for bilateral relations, he added.
Blair said in his message that the relations between Britain and
China have developed enormously, and "the breadth and depth of the
ties between our two countries and the sense of common purpose is
stronger than it has ever been."
The pace of the relationship between Britain and China has
quickened since the establishment of strategic partnership between
the two countries, he said, adding that the two countries'
cooperation in trade and economy, education, and culture will have
a bright future.
Blair said that as one of the milestones in Britain-China
relations, the smooth return of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 is a
vindication of the "one country, two systems" policy and a cause
for celebration by both countries 10 years on.
"I welcome China's growing international role and the new
opportunities that creates for us to further develop our strategic
partnership across a wide range of shared interests," said
Blair.
As members of the UN Security Council, Britain and China have
worked increasingly closely together, and their cooperation "will
underpin world stability and create an environment in which we can
all benefit from globalization," Blair said.
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his British counterpart
Margaret Beckett also exchanged messages of congratulation on the
same day.
(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2007)
