Britain, China to discuss trade and G20

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-06 11:49

LONDON: - Britain's Business Secretary Peter Mandelson will lead a delegation to China from Sunday to discuss trade and G20 commitments ahead of the group's next meeting in Pittsburgh, the British government said.

Mandelson, who is effectively deputy to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, is due to meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and senior Chinese ministers during his visit, from Sunday to Thursday.

With Britain mired in its worst recession in decades, the government has repeatedly talked of the need to expand trade and build better links with fast-emerging economies, such as China.

Mandelson will press for better market access for British companies, particularly in sectors like advanced manufacturing, financial and legal services and energy, his department said.

"China is one of the world's largest producers and consumers of goods and services and its role is critical to the global recovery," Mandelson said in a statement.

"China is an exciting market for UK business...My challenge is to promote British exports, encourage Chinese investment in the UK and continue to strengthen our good working relations with the Chinese government."

The two sides will "discuss G20 commitments...and market access opportunities", Britain's trade department said.

British finance minister Alistair Darling, who is hosting a meeting of G20 finance ministers in London this weekend, said in May that London wanted to strengthen its ties with China in everything from capital markets to regulation.

Britain and China are working toward a bilateral trade target of $60 billion by 2010, while talks have been held to help Chinese firms list on British stock markets.

China's Vice Premier Wang Qishan led a 60-strong delegation to Britain in May to follow up on an economic summit in Beijing last year.