Premier Li leaves Britain with sights on more inclusive future

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang left London for Greece Thursday after a fruitful visit that included deals worth 30 billion US dollars. [Special coverage]

During his four-day trip, Li held in-depth talks with British leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister David Cameron, exchanging views on advancing bilateral ties and practical cooperation.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Britain comprehensive strategic relationship. The two countries pledged to seize the opportunity to lift bilateral relations to a new level.

The Chinese premier also attended a Britain-China Financial Forum, co-chaired a global economic roundtable with Cameron and spoke at a gathering hosted by two prestigious British think tanks, among other engagements.

MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR DEAL

Trade and investment deals were signed between Chinese and British firms in finance, technology, education, energy and infrastructure, after Premier Li met Cameron for their annual summit at Downing Street.

The two leaders pledged to deepen all-round pragmatic cooperation and inclusive development while celebrating the two countries' decade-old comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Chinese premier proposed China and Britain expand two-way trade to reach a target of 100 billion dollars by 2015, constantly consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations, and promote common growth and inclusive development.

He also urged greater cooperation in areas such as high-speed rail, scientific innovation, the green economy, medicine and aviation.

In a joint statement, the two countries agreed to work together to push forward bilateral cooperation in growth, reform and innovation.

Both sides were committed to an open global economy and trade liberalization, and stood ready to expand economic and trade cooperation and promote development in each other's markets, the statement said.

Applauding the comprehensive strategic partnership as an indispensable element of each other's foreign policy agenda, the statement said the two countries agreed to increase high-level visits in order to guide the development of bilateral relations.

Both sides agreed to establish a strategic partnership on infrastructure and committed to working together to support further collaboration between Chinese and British companies on more projects.

China and Britain welcomed cooperation on civil nuclear energy and the signing of a joint statement on civil nuclear power, it said.

On financial cooperation, both sides welcomed a greater role for the Chinese currency RMB in international trade and investment and the establishment of an RMB clearing bank in London, according to the statement.