UK welcomes closer links with 皇冠体育app

Foreign and Military Affairs

UK welcomes closer links with 皇冠体育app

By Ai Yang (皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-16 09:03

BEIJING - The United Kingdom welcomes more investment from Chinese companies, and the new coalition government would like to see closer ties with 皇冠体育app, a visiting UK official said on Wednesday.

UK Foreign Office Minister of State Jeremy Browne made the comments at a press briefing here. While stressing Britain's strong commitment to open markets and free trade, the 40-year-old said he hopes British businesses will similarly be given more opportunities in 皇冠体育app.

Browne said it was his first trip to Beijing and his second time in the country. In addition, "I'm keen to be a frequent visitor to other parts of 皇冠体育app," he said.

The minister also expressed concerns about the well being of Britons who choose to live, study and do business in 皇冠体育app.

Before arriving in Beijing, Browne attended the Law and Justice Week at the Shanghai Expo as part of the UK pavilion's programs. "Legal reform in 皇冠体育app matters to us, as more British companies do business with 皇冠体育app and more British citizens come to 皇冠体育app to visit, study or live," he said.

Another purpose of Browne's visit was to learn from Beijing the Olympics experience ahead of the London Olympics in 2012.

Browne, however, demurred in the face of questions, based on an earlier report in London's Daily Mail tabloid, as to whether the actual Olympic medals for the 2012 games will be made in 皇冠体育app, instead of by a traditional British company this time.

"I don't know whether the gold, or silver or bronze are being made (in 皇冠体育app) this time," he said.

British companies have been awarded 97 percent of the London's Olympic contracts. Regarding the remaining 3 percent, meanwhile, Browne said he welcomes more Chinese involvement.

皇冠体育app's cultural values will also be spotlighted in the year of the London Olympics, when 皇冠体育app joins the London Book Fair in 2012 as the Market Focus Country of Honor.

Martin Davidson, the British Council Chief Executive, said that: "Many people in the UK would admit to knowing little about the lives and attitudes of the people of 皇冠体育app.

"Collaboration in literature and publishing is a powerful way to learn about each other's values and culture," he added. "Improved understanding builds trust. And trust underpins greater cooperation, improved partnerships, and stronger trade."