Visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met on Monday with British Justice Secretary Jack Straw, both reaffirming their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Tang said that the Sino-British relations have enjoyed a fast development in recent years and the two countries have established the comprehensive strategic partnership relations, which witness the continuing expansion of bilateral cooperation.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made a successful visit to China last month, and the leaders of two countries have reached important consensus on the development of bilateral relations, said Tang, adding that China is willing to work together with Britain to push forward the development of Sino-British relations.
Straw said that British government values the relations with China, and would further strengthen and deepen cooperation with China.
During the meeting, Tang and Straw exchanged views on fulfilling the consensus made by the leaders of two countries during Brown's recent visit. And they agreed that the two countries should embark on the following issues:
Firstly, to expand the trade between two countries to make sure that the bilateral trade volume will reach 60 billion U.S. dollars by 2010.
Secondly, to bring to full play the Task Forces set up by either side, and to make good and careful preparations so that Sino-British financial and economic dialogue at vice prime minister's level could be smoothly initiated.
Thirdly, to put into effect China-Britain Youth Exchange programs.
Fourthly, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of finance, transformation of science and technology research, public health, climate change, sustainable city development, and the Olympics.
Fifthly, to ensure that China Now, which is Britain's largest ever festival of Chinese culture conceived by the British business community, would be carried out successfully, highlighting the exchanges between two countries.
Sixthly, to initiate as soon as possible talks on a mutual judicial assistance agreement between the two countries.
Tang and Straw also had talks on the Darfur issue. Tang said that the Darfur issue is an internal affair of Sudan, and China has made constructive efforts in realizing peace, reconciliation and improving the livelihood in the Darfur region.
China would continue to work together with the international communities to make its contributions on bringing the Darfur situation into good development, said Tang.
Tang stressed that 2008 Beijing Olympics were not only the games of China, but also of the world, and China was opposed to politicizing the Olympics by linking them with the Darfur issue, for it was against the common aspiration of the people of all the countries.
Straw said that Britain did not agree on linking the Olympics with the Darfur issue, and would be willing to cooperate with China on the resolution of the issue.
On Sunday, Tang also had talks with former British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
Tang left Beijing on Saturday for visits to Britain and Japan at the invitation of the governments of the two countries.
Tang, as Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy, will also visit the Republic of Korea (ROK) to attend the inauguration ceremony of ROK President Lee Myung-bak scheduled for Feb. 25.
Source:Xinhua
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