British Prime Minister Tony Blair poses with Chinese media delegation headed by Cai Wu (sixth from left), minister of the State Council Information Office, at 10 Downing Street in London, April 15, 2007. Blair said the visit of the Chinese media delegation will help promote understanding and media exchanges between the two countries will play an important role for hosting the Olympic Games, 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London. [Xinhua]

LONDON -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sunday met with visiting Cai Wu, minister of the Information Office of State Council and his media delegation.

During the meeting at the 10 Downing Street, Blair said such a Chinese media delegation visiting UK would certainly further enhance the mutual understanding between the two peoples, and improve the development of Sino-British relations. 

Since Beijing and London are about to hold Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012 respectively, media exchanges between China and UK would play a very important role in ensuring the success of the Games, said Blair.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair shakes hands with Cai Wu, minister of Information Office of China's State Council at 10 Downing Street in LondonApril 15, 2007. [photo by Chen Fafen/ chinadaily.com.cn]

As for the relations between the two countries, Blair said the bilateral relations were of strategic significance, and China has played a key role in such international and regional issues as climate change, counter-terrorism, and nuclear dispute in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Cai said China and Britain have enjoyed a good momentum in development of their bilateral relations, and there are still much room for improvement of media exchanges between the two countries.

Strengthening media exchanges is very important for the mutual understanding between the Chinese and British people, Cai added.

Talking about Hong Kong, Blair insisted that this year is the 10th anniversary of China's resumption of exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and the best celebration for this is to continue to maintain stability and prosperity there.

At the meeting, Blair also praised the success of Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan on April 11-13.

Cai and his delegation from Chinese major media organizations are visiting London for culture and media exchanges between China and Britain. And they will also attend the Sino-British Media Forum.