PM meets with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo
PM: "I think the relationship between Britain and China is at a period of great strength". External site: [Foreign Secretary hosts UK-China Strategic Dialogue ](http://ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=661263982)
The Prime Minister today met with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo in Downing Street. The Prime Minister and State Councillor both gave short speeches, a transcript of which follows.
Mr Cameron said:
Well, it’s a great pleasure to welcome State Councillor Dai to Number 10 Downing Street.
I think the relationship between Britain and China is at a period of great strength. We are partners for growth. We both want to see the complementary strengths of our economies grow together and there’s much to talk about there. We also have the upcoming G20 where we’ll be discussing the stances that we need to take to get the world economy moving to meet all those challenges too.
I very much enjoyed my visit to China last year and it’s great to welcome you here as I’ve also welcomed Premier Wen and Vice Premier Li Keqiang and many other Chinese leaders, who are all welcome in Number 10 Downing Street and we’ve had some very productive and good talks and I look forward to more talks today.
Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo responded:
I’m also glad to be back in London to have the strategic dialogue with my interlocutor here. To start, I wish to convey the cordial greetings and best wishes from Premier Wen Jiabao.
I remember visiting here in 2009 and having a meeting with you at that time, but you were in a different capacity, so please accept my belated congratulations on becoming the Prime Minister of this country. Last time, we had a very good discussion.
Now, in this year alone, four members of the leadership in the State Council, China’s central government, have been to London. About half of the State Council leadership has been here and they are all important figures in the Chinese government: the Prime Minister, the Executive Vice Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Vice Premier Wang Qishan. From that, one can see how much importance we attach to our relationship with Britain. And both your good self and other British leaders have visited China. And the China-UK relationship has made advances forward in the 16 months since the coming to government of the coalition government.
The challenge before us is to build on the good foundation we have and to make new breakthroughs in our relationship.
Mr Cameron:
Thank you”.
(END OF TRANSCRIPT)