Chinese President Hu Jintao said Tuesday in London that China and the United Kingdom have important historical responsibilities and broad common interests in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

Speaking at a welcoming banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, Hu said the world today is undergoing complicated and profound changes, and that the human society is presented with both great prospects and severe challenges.

"In face of both opportunities and challenges, China and the United Kingdom, two permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries of great influence in their respective region, have important historical responsibilities and broad common interests in safeguarding world peace, promoting common development and coping with various challenges," he said.

"We stand ready to work with the UK to strengthen mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation, and make joint efforts for the well-being of the two peoples and a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity," said the Chinese president.

On Sino-UK relations, Hu said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, substantial progress has been made in their bilateral relations.

He said that China and the UK have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, with their strategic interests steadily expanding, cooperation in key areas very fruitful, and mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples growing with each passing day.

"Continued growth of our bilateral relations has delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples," he said.

It is therefore the common wish of the two sides and conducive to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples to continuously develop China-Britain strategic partnership under the new historical conditions, the Chinese president said.

"I am ready to have contact with people from various sectors of the United Kingdom during my current visit, and listen to their views on how to further develop China-UK relations," he said.

Hu said he believes that as long as the two sides work hand in hand, the China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership will yield more fruitful results.

The queen, in her speech, said it is now almost 20 years since she last visited China and since then China's development has caught the world's attention and admiration.

"I am pleased that so many young Chinese people choose to study and gain work experience in the United Kingdom," she said.

"More and more British people now work, travel and study in China, where we have a dynamic trade and investment relationship with British companies creating jobs in your country and Chinese companies doing the same here," she said.

On Hu's current visit, the queen said the trip allows the two sides "to draw attention to the flourishing relationship between the United Kingdom and China and to demonstrate the importance we attach to its development."

"It is a relationship of great consequence to us, full of potential and rich in opportunity for the people of both our countries," said the queen.

Hu arrived in London earlier in the day for a state visit aimed at promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership established between the two countries last year.

Source: Xinhua