China, Britain to push for pragmatic co-op, high-level exchanges

China and Britain on Thursday pledged here to expand and deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation and push for more high-level reciprocal visits.

China is willing to carry out more in-depth exchanges, conduct long-term planning for China-Britain relations, enhance mutual understanding and political trust and step up bilateral pragmatic cooperation, visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said when meeting British Prime Minister David Cameron.

China is also willing to strengthen coordination and collaboration with Britain in international affairs and global issues in a bid to elevate their ties to a higher level, Yang said.

He said China has unswervingly attached strategic importance to Europe and is ready to work together with the European side to promote global peace, development and prosperity.

Yang said his visit seeks to implement the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries during Cameron's official visit to China in December.

Cameron, for his part, said the relations between the two countries have entered a new stage for development.

He said Britain is willing to work with China to increase high-level visits, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and personnel exchanges, and strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs.

Cameron said Britain is following a free and open economic policy, adding that his country would like to play a positive role for the development of Europe-China relations.

Britain is the second leg of Yang's three-nation tour, which also includes France and the Netherlands.