Xi's visit to open new chapter for China-UK relations

BEIJING - As the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Britain enters its second decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping's first state visit to the country, scheduled between Oct 19 and 23 at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, will open a new chapter for bilateral ties.

President Xi's visit to Britain will further revitalize the forty-year-old China-Europe partnerships as the two sides embark on a new journey based on the consensus of peace, growth, reform and civilization.

At a time when China's sweeping reforms are entering a decisive year, and as China is drafting its 13th five-year plan, China's top leader will take this significant visit as an opportunity to continue declaring China's peaceful development and its determination of reform and opening-up.

OPENING NEW CHAPTER FOR CHINA-BRITAIN RELATIONS

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in New York in late September that Britain is looking forward to Xi's visit and will speed up efforts to make good preparations.

Prince William handed Xi Queen Elizabeth II's invitation letter when he visited China in March, and the Queen made a formal announcement of Xi's visit at the opening ceremony of a new parliament held in late May.

Now as the visit approaches, the royal family, the government and the people of Britain are all eagerly awaiting Xi's coming and are fully prepared to welcome him.

During the visit, the Queen will hold a welcoming ceremony for Xi and invite him for both an informal lunch and a formal dinner. Together, the two leaders will review the Royal Horseguards. Several members of the royal family will attend Xi's activities during the visit -- a high standard of reception that showcases the high level of ties.

Xi will also hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron and make joint plans for the future development of China-Britain relations. In addition, Xi will also meet with leaders of opposition parties and parliamentary leaders to hear their appeals and expectations for relations between the two nations.

Zhou Hong from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences thinks that Xi's upcoming trip, during which he will visit a single European nation, is very rare in Sino-European history, and that it in some way indicates China attaches great importance to its relations with Britain, which is a major country at the core of the European Union.

As the world's two major countries , China and Britain share comprehensive common interests while shouldering the important responsibility of promoting world peace and stability, Xi said when meeting with Prince William in March in the Great Hall of the People.

Acting as permanent members of the United Nations' Security Council, China and Britain have maintained good long-term communication on regional and global affairs.

The relationship between China and Britain is becoming increasingly stable and mature, which not only brings concrete benefits to the two peoples, but also actively contributes to world peace and development, Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said.

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