Chinese premier eyes stronger China-Britain cultural exchanges

BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday lauded the progress of China-UK cultural exchanges, urging joint efforts from both sides to expand people-to-people exchanges and enhance mutual understanding.

Li made the remarks while meeting with British Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who is here to co-chair the second meeting of the China-UK high-level cultural exchange mechanism with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong.

Calling the mechanism one of the three pillars for China-UK ties, together with economic, financial and strategic dialogue, Li said it has helped to facilitate bilateral cooperation in various areas and cement the China-UK partnership.

He urged both sides to work on high-quality projects in their cultural exchanges, expand cooperation in education, health, youth and tourism, to boost peoples' understanding and consolidate public opinion on bilateral ties.

Hunt, in his turn, said his country hopes to strengthen exchanges with China, and make full play of the role of cultural exchanges.

Liu and Hunt, the two countries' presidents of the mechanism, co-chaired the second meeting of China-UK high-level cultural exchange mechanism earlier on Wednesday, focusing on the subject of sharing experience and enjoying a common future.

Premier Li and British Prime Minister David Cameron sent congratulatory letters to the meeting, noting appreciation for its work.

"China-UK ties have come to an important period that links the past and the future," Li said in his letter, calling on both sides to hold in-depth dialogues, build consensus and make new contributions to a brighter future for China-UK ties.

The China-Britain mechanism for high-level cultural exchanges was launched by Liu and Hunt in London in April, 2012, with the aims of helping to strengthen cultural ties between both countries, create more opportunities for direct communication between the two peoples and bring more trade opportunities.