China, Britain to ink deals during Premier Li's visit

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit to Britain will result in a number of bilateral deals regarding energy, automobile and finance, said Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Yan on Thursday.

Gao told a press briefing the deals include both inter-governmental agreements and business contracts.

Li will attend the annual meeting of Chinese premier and British prime minister and conduct official visits to Britain and Greece from June 16 to 21.

Li's visit to Britain will be his first visit to the European country since taking office in March last year, and another major diplomatic event with Europe following President Xi Jinping's tour in late March.

During his stay in London, Li will meet Queen Elizabeth II, and hold talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Li will also attend a banquet with the two countries' business representatives and deliver a speech to British think tanks.

"The visit will further cement China-Britain political trust, enhance cultural exchanges and cooperation in nuclear power, high-speed railway, finance and high technology, and bring vitality and new content to the bilateral partnership," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said.

Li's visit comes as both countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

The two countries have set up various high-profile exchange mechanisms in recent years including prime ministers' annual meeting, economic and financial dialogue, strategic dialogue and a mechanism for high-level cultural exchanges.

Britain is China's third largest trading partner in the European Union, the second largest investment source as well as a major destination for China's overseas investment. Two-way trade hit 70 billion U.S. dollars last year.

Calling China-British trade cooperation a "stabilizer" in bilateral ties, Gao Yan said China hopes Britain will help promote the EU's relaxation of export controls against China, the EU's restraint in trade remedy measures and joint efforts with China on the feasibility study of a China-EU free trade area.

Premier Li will tell the British financial community of China's initiatives in cementing cooperation with Britain in areas of finance, energy, infrastructure, technology and service trade, she said.

Li will also visit Greece following his Britain trip.