Chinese, British premiers talk development of ties

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held telephone talks Thursday with his British counterpart David Cameron on the development of relations between their two countries.

Extending his congratulations to Li on his endorsement as China's premier, Cameron said China's development offered an important opportunity for the rest of the world.

Britain stood ready to make concerted efforts with China to deepen practical cooperation in various areas and strengthen coordination in international affairs so as to add fresh impetus to the development of bilateral relations, he said.

Li said, as influential powers in the world, China and Britain shared a broad range of interests in both bilateral and multilateral areas.

To promote and deepen cooperation was not only in the interests of both nations but was also conducive to world peace and prosperity, he said.

It was important the two sides treated each other as equals, respect each other's core interests, properly handled sensitive issues and took concrete steps to fulfil the aspiration for a better relationship so as to promote the stable and sound development of China-Britain relations, the Chinese premier said.

Li was endorsed as Chinese premier on March 15 at the 12th National People's Congress annual session.