The UK is one of a few Western countries that welcome Chinese investment in infrastructure. Li and UK leaders discussed the UK's need for investment in its infrastructure projects. The signing of a framework agreement for a planned high-speed railway in the UK highlighted the two sides' sincerity in this regard.
In the field of financial cooperation, Li's visit will further promote the building of London as an offshore renminbi center. The UK is already an established financial power with huge advantages in the financial services industry, while China is short of experience in this field. There is great potential for the two sides to cooperate in the financial sector.
With China-UK cooperation expanding to more high-end fields with strategic significance, their relations are deepening and strengthening.
Li's visit has also helped further enhance trust between them. The UK as an important member of the EU plays an important role in the EU's decision-making toward China. Compared with other EU countries, the UK praises highly the concept of free trade and openness, opposes trade protectionism and actively promotes the negotiation of a China-EU investment agreement and free trade agreement.
Li's visit has helped to reassure other countries that are suspicious of China's intentions and highlighted China's commitment to peaceful development. With China's fast development, some countries or individuals in the international community worry that China poses a threat to world peace and stability, and some with ulterior motives are beating the drum of the so-called China threat theory.
During his visit, Li conveyed to the world China's desire for a peaceful rise by writing articles for newspapers and delivering a speech at an event hosted by two important UK think tanks in which he reiterated China's commitment to the path of peaceful development, determination to build a harmonious world and pursuit of win-win engagements.
As he wrote in The Times: "As a major country on the world stage, China will dedicate itself to securing peace and cooperation. China is eager to learn from other nations, will keep abreast of the trend of the times, will actively engage in global dialogue, and will promote the 21st century as an era of peace and cooperation."
The author is a research scholar with the Institute of European Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
(China Daily 06/24/2014 page8)
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