China-UK relations likely unaffected by election

One of British voters goes to vote at the polling station in London on Thursday. [Photo By Wang Mingjie/for China Daily]

The Conservative-led government has built up good relations with China, he said, and there's no reason to believe a Labour government would be any different, as China has a great economy and a major trade and business partner.

Wang Qing, a professor of marketing and innovation at Warwick Business, also said there is not a huge difference among the main parties in terms of China policy.

The Conservative-led government holds a positive attitude toward China and bilateral business exchanges are very active in recent years," Wang said. "Britain is the first major Western country to apply for membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank."

Wang reminded that the warm relations go beyond the commercial to the cultural. In March, Prince William launched the Great Festival of Creativity in Shanghai.

As Britain went to the polls, the Labour and the Conservatives were tied at 35 percent each in polling. As a consequence, the results may not be clear for days as parties negotiate to form a coalition composed of multiple parties.

Contact the writer at zhangchunyan@chinadaily.com.cn and mengjing@chinadaily.com.cn