International   

China “incredibly important” for U.K.

— Photo: AFP

The Bard's fan:Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (second from right) and U.K. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt (right) watch a performance of Hamlet in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, on Sunday.

LONDON: Britain and China were expected to sign business deals worth billions of pounds as Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on Sunday embarked on a three-day tour of Britain with a visit to Shakespeare's birthplace Stratford-Upon-Avon to watch a performance.

A life-long Shakespeare admirer, the Chinese leader described the Bard as an “extraordinary man whose work and life would last forever”.

“His work belonged not only to his own era but to entire history,” he said.

Mr. Wen also visited the Birmingham-based MG Motor plant, now owned by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. It is one of China's most high-profile investments in Britain.

Investment

With Britain in deep recession, the visit is seen here as an opportunity to attract more Chinese investment with one senior Cabinet Minister describing China as “an incredibly important economic power and a massive investor in the U.K.” China, he said, offered Britain “huge opportunities”.

“We want to have a broad-based relationship with China which encompasses political, economic and social dialogue,” said Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Culture Secretary.

The Chinese have shown interest in bidding for work on Britain's proposed multi-billion-pound high-speed rail project. China's Ambassador in the U.K. Liu Xiaoming said Beijing was looking for “flagship projects” and had “the knowledge, expertise and experience” to assist with the rail project.

Mr. Wen, who is here to attend the annual U.K.-China Strategic Summit, will hold talks with his British counterpart David Cameron on Monday. One of the issues likely to be discussed is Libya, on which the two countries have different positions. China has opposed the NATO-led bombing campaign and favours a peaceful political solution.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

China “incredibly important” for U.K.
Eastern destinations to propel Sri Lankan tourism growth
Chinese activist Hu Jia freed
Russian billionaire elected head of pro-business party
LulzSec hacker group says Internet rampage over
Yemen protesters want President's sons to leave
Bond star Daniel Craig weds Rachel Weisz
Brazil's Graziano elected FAO chief
No dog left behind

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu