Source: CCTV.com

05-12-2009 09:03

Relations between China and Britain have come a long way in the past thirty years. Partnerships have deepened, and both sides are seeking to work closer together in these tough economic times.

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown (R) meets China's Vice Premier Wang Qishan in 10 Downing Street, in London May 11,  2009. REUTERS/Stephen Hird(BRITAIN POLITICS)

Britain was one of the earliest west-European countries to tap into the Chinese market. The two countries have a long-established cooperative partnership. Economic ties are particularly strong in the fields of energy, chemicals and the environment.

After assuming office in 2007, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said relations with China are important to Britain, especially on economic ties.

Trade between China and Britain is growing fast. Trade Volume in 2008 was worth over 40 billion US dollars. Meanwhile, Britain is the largest investor in China among all European Union members. It has invested more than 15 billion US dollars in six thousand projects.

In January 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Gordon Brown in Beijing. The two countries signed 800 million US dollars worth of contracts on education, energy and the environment. And, they set a new bilateral trade volume target of 60 billion US dollars for 2010.

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Editor:Xiong Qu