China and UK plan high-level meetings

A series of high-level meetings are being planned between senior Chinese and British officials in coming months, aimed at bolstering mutual political trust between the two countries, according to China's Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming.

Chinese Vice-Premier Ma Kai will join UK Chancellor Philip Hammond to co-host the eighth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, the ambassador said.

UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will also go to China to co-host the fourth meeting of the China-UK High Level People to People Dialogue.

Liu said at a reception on Tuesday to mark China's National Day that State Councilor Yang Jiechi will visit London in coming months to meet with UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

The meetings form part of the momentum generated by President Xi Jinping's successful state visit to the UK last October, when both countries said a "golden era" in Sino-British relations had started. During Xi's visit, 40 billion pounds in Chinese investment was announced.

This month, UK Prime Minister Theresa May approved construction of the nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in southwest England, using French technology and with China providing 6 billion pounds of the 18 billion pounds price tag.

Liu, citing an ancient Chinese proverb, said, "If two people are of the same mind, their strength can cut through metal, and their consensus-based argument is as appealing as the fragrance of orchid flowers."