Understanding is the foundation and precondition for building a stable comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Britain in the long run, said Chinese ambassador on Saturday.
"Only deeper understanding fosters deeper mutual trust; only deeper mutual trust generates deeper cooperation," said Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to Britain, at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU).
Liu said understanding is an eternal subject between China and Britain.
"Over the past 50 years, SACU has been committed to better understanding between China and Britain, and between the people of our two countries," Liu added.
Liu pointed out that SACU is an important platform for understanding and a channel for exchanges and cooperation.
"Fifty years on, the international landscape has changed profoundly. China-UK relationship had made a quantum leap, from partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership. Exchange between the Chinese and British people are closer than ever, deeper than ever and more extensive than ever," said Liu.
However, "understanding" remains a major subject between China and Britain.
"Some people always prefer to see in China, be it peaceful development path, economic upgrading or 'One Belt, One Road' initiative, they would make the same noises," Liu indicated.
To build Anglo-Chinese understanding, and indeed to increase understanding between China and the West, remains a long and arduous task, said Liu.
Liu wish SACU could keep promoting China-UK understanding and friendship.
"It is the mandate to help to build the edifice of Anglo-Chinese understanding and to write a new chapter for a better and brighter future of China-UK relationship," said Liu.
