Baroness Hayman(L, front), Lord Speaker of the House of Lords in the Britain Parliament, meets with Oyunqemag (R, front), vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, at the House of Parliament in London, Britain, March 31, 2011. A China's NPC delegation led by Oyunqemag started a visit to Britain on March 30. (Xinhua/Zeng Yi)
LONDON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China and Britain have great potential of pragmatic cooperation and are facing many new opportunities for development, a senior Chinese legislator said here on Thursday.
Uyunqimg, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) made the remarks when meeting British officials including Lord Speaker of the House of Lords Helene Valerie Hayman, John Bercow, speaker of the House of Commons, Deputy Speakers of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle and Nigel Evans, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary China Group Mark Hendrick, and Sayeeda Hussain Warsi, co-chairman of the Conservative Party and Minister without portfolio on Thursday.
Uyunqimg briefed the hosts on China's 12th Five-Year Plan. She said China and Britain both play important roles in international affairs, and that China-Britain relations have developed smoothly since the new British coalition government took office last year.
She said China and Britain have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, constantly enhanced political mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in economic and trade cooperation. Legislative bodies of the two countries also have maintained close communication and cooperation.
Uyunqimg hoped that both sides respect each other, strengthen understanding, seek and extend common interests and cooperation and jointly promote the development of the China-Britain comprehensive strategic partnership.
British officials spoke highly of the 12th Five Year Plan, China's achievements in economic and social development and its important role in international affairs.
They said the development of Britain-China relations conforms to common interests of the two nations and is conducive to world peace and development. Britain attached importance to its ties with China and hoped to enhance exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, including parliament and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations and two peoples.
The Chinese delegation led by Uyunqimg arrived in London on Wednesday.
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (L), Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons of the Britain Parliament, meets with Oyunqemag, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, at the House of Parliament in London, Britain, March 31, 2011. A China's NPC delegation led by Oyunqemag started a visit to Britain on March 30. (Xinhua/Zeng Yi)