Xi’s U.K.Visit to Promote China-Britain Ties

CHINESE President Xi Jinpings state visit to Britain from October 19 to 23 was the first that a Chinese president has made to the U.K. in a decade. It hence marked a key diplomatic exchange with Europe. The British royal family hosted an array of welcoming activities for Xi， including a morning greeting， ceremonial welcome， and private lunch， as well as close talks with the Chinese president. The Queen also held an elegant state banquet at Buckingham Palace. All these events signify the great importance the royal family attaches to China-Britain relations.

During his visits to London and Manchester， Xi exchanged candid and indepth views with British leaders on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern， his aim to enhance understanding， expand consensus， and blueprint the future development of bilateral relations. He also met with people in the U.K. from all sectors， and attended events relating to economy and trade as well as people-to-people exchanges. Both sides， in addition， signed multiple cooperation agreements.

The president said that China attaches great importance to expanding relations with the United Kingdom， and that deepening the China-U.K. relationship is in the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples.

The visit is widely perceived as a complete success， having comprehensively promoted bilateral， mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas， and broken ground towards new and important developments in the two countries comprehensive strategic partnership. It has thus made significant contributions to world peace and prosperity.endprint