On the night of July 21, 2003, Kong Quan, Director-General of the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry, held a briefing on talks between visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Hu Jintao, Chairman Jiang Zemin of the Central Military Commission and Premier Wen Jiabao respectively.
　

President Hu Jintao Meets With British Prime Minister Tony Blair

On the afternoon of July 21, President Hu Jintao met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Hu said that Sino-British relations have witnessed new developments in recent years with frequent contacts between leaders of the two countries and strengthened bilateral cooperation in various fields. He noted that bilateral trade volume has also been growing, and the United Kingdom (UK) has taken the lead among European Union countries in investing in China. He said that the consultation and dialogue mechanism established between the two countries and the China-UK Forum are functioning well, adding that China and the UK have maintained close communication and consultation on international issues.

Hu pointed out that both China and Britain are influential countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the further consolidation of the overall bilateral partnership is consistent with the interests of the two peoples and conducive to world peace, stability and development. Hu said that the two countries should enhance political mutual-trust, further reciprocal cooperation, expand the fields of common interests and ensure the proper handling of bilateral differences and concerns. He noted that China's new leadership attaches great importance to Sino-British ties and will work with the British side to ensure that the overall bilateral partnership achieves even greater progress in the new century.

Hu also briefed Blair on the Chinese government's consistent principles and position on Hong Kong.

Blair said he was delighted to see the strong development momentum of bilateral ties in recent years, underlining that the smooth handover of Hong Kong six years ago had opened a new chapter for bilateral relations. He went on to say that China's economy is growing rapidly and the country enjoys increasing influence in international affairs. He said Britain and China share similar views on many international issues and have wide-ranging common interests in promoting world peace and development. He noted that all these present significant opportunities for the development of the two countries, pledging that Britain is willing to join hands with China to continuously advance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
　

Chairman Jiang Zemin of the Central Military Commission Meets Blair

On July 21, 2003, Chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) Jiang Zemin met with visiting British Prime Minister Blair at Yingtai, Zhongnanhai. Both sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and the current international state of affairs of common concern.

Jiang said that Sino-British relations had experienced highs and lows over the past several decades, adding that bilateral ties had entered a new stage of sustained growth beginning in 1997 and have since demonstrated unprecedented vigor and great potential. He said that this proves the two sides can move forward together and develop all-round cooperation as long as they share mutual respect and treat each other as equals.

With regard to the current international situation, Jiang said the issue of peace is increasingly important in the increasingly interdependent world. He said that fighting terrorism, promoting the global economy, eliminating poverty and protecting the environment all require dialogue, consultation and cooperation among people of all countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. He said that, given the obvious disparities between countries, it is natural for them to have differences of opinion. Despite this, he underlined that China's traditional philosophy advocates peaceful co-existence, mutual benefit and a win-win situation. He said all countries should respect each other in political terms, promote mutual economic development and learn from each other in cultural terms, which is good for the progress of mankind.

Blair said when China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong six years ago, bilateral relations entered a new era. He noted that over the years, cooperation between the two countries has grown rapidly as the spheres of cooperation expanded. He expressed satisfaction with the status of bilateral ties. Blair said that Britain wishes to consolidate its bilateral cooperation with China in order to deal more effectively with the multiple challenges of today's world. He said Britain stands willing to work with China to maintain stability and to promote global development.

Premier Wen Jiabao Meets Blair

On July 21, 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with visiting British Prime Minister Blair at the Great Hall of the People. The two leaders gave a positive evaluation of Sino-British relations and expressed the belief in the huge potential for the growth of bilateral relations and their willingness to make joint efforts in further promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Premier Wen said that Sino-British relations have developed noticeably in recent years. He noted that in the political field, the sovereignty of Hong Kong has smoothly returned to China and an all-round Sino-British partnership has been forged; in the economic field, the volume of bilateral trade had been doubled in the past five years and British investment in China exceeded the 10 billion US dollar mark; bilateral cooperation in the cultural, educational, scientific, technological and environmental areas has also proven fruitful.

In view of the present complex and volatile international situation, Wen pointed out that both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council and with common interests and major responsibilities, and it is both necessary and urgent for China and Britain to strengthen cooperation for the maintenance of world peace and for economic development. Premier Wen also set forth four points of hope for the future development of Sino-British relations. First, to continue maintaining the momentum for high-level contacts and establish and further improve the strategic dialogue and consultation mechanism. Second, to explore and expand economic and trade cooperation in order to help small and medium-size enterprises to strengthen exchanges, to encourage British companies to invest in the development projects in the middle and western region of China and to increase the volume of bilateral trade to 15 billion US dollars from 10 billion US dollars in the next three to five years. Third, to promote the in-depth cooperation in the cultural and educational spheres and enhance the mutual understanding and trust of the people of both countries and, finally, to properly settle the differences of the two sides through dialogues.

Wen noted that the Chinese government has strictly followed the Basic Law in handling Hong Kong affairs and the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administrating Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy have been comprehensively implemented. He added that although Hong Kong has been heavily stricken by the Asian financial turmoil, the overall slowdown of the global economy and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), it has remained economic stability and development and the legitimate rights and freedom of Hong Kong citizens have also fully guaranteed. He noted that the facts have shown the practice of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong has been successful and gained extensive praise of the international community. He added that a stable and prosperous Hong Kong consists with the interests of not only the Chinese people, including the Hong Kong people, but also foreign interests in Hong Kong. He hoped that related countries can do more to promote the stability and development of Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Premier Wen reiterated China's stance on the questions concerning Taiwan and Tibet and exchanged views with Prime Minister Blair on international issues of common concern.

Blair seconded the assessment of bilateral relations by Wen and suggested furthering the reciprocal cooperation. He noted that Britain and China have wide-ranging interests in common, saying that the two sides also share the common expectations and pursuits of maintaining world stability and promoting development. Meanwhile, he added, the British side is ready to work hand in hand to keep increasing cooperation with the Chinese side in the fields of politics, economy and trade, education, culture and other fields.

Blair said he had had a better understanding of China through contacts with Chinese personalities from various circles, and he also underlined that the British side would adhere to the One China principle to resolve the relevant issues properly.

Blair said that implementing “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong over the past six years has achieved good effects, which is very gratifying. The British side appreciated China's handling of related problems that emerged in Hong Kong recently and hoped to find ways to maintain Hong Kong's stability, over which the British side expressed its willingness to make efforts.

Kong also took other questions of concern from the correspondents. 70-strong Beijing-based foreign and Hong Kong correspondents were present at the briefing.