On the noon of November 9, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair at No. 10 Downing Street in London, the Prime Minister's Palace. Both sides expressed satisfaction with sound development momentum in bilateral relations. They also exchanged in-depth views on pushing bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level and reached important consensus.

Blair warmly welcomed Hu for his visit to the UK, holding that currently bilateral relations have witnessed strong development momentum and this important visit will surely push for accelerated development of bilateral all-round cooperation.

Hu pointed out that the establishment of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in 2004 marks that bilateral relations have entered a new development stage. Both sides have established a high-level political dialogue mechanism and a consultation mechanism on sustainable development, scored new achievements in economic and trade cooperation and maintained sound coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs.

Hu emphasized that China attaches great importance to developing relations with the UK. China's development is an opportunity to the UK. Both sides should regard bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and push bilateral relations to a higher level. To this end, he proposed suggestions in the following four aspects. First, to maintain sound momentum of high-level exchanges, make full use of the annual meeting mechanism of government leaders and foreign ministers of both sides and at the same time expand exchanges between their legislatures and political parties. Second, to strengthen political dialogue and cooperation, implement the high-level political dialogue mechanism and conduct consultations and cooperation on sustainable development, poverty reduction, climatic changes, promoting free trade and other global issues within such multilateral frameworks as the UN, the WTO and the ASEM. Third, to deepen bilateral cooperation in various areas. Besides the 6 key areas of trade and investment, finance, energy resources, science and technology, education and culture, and environmental protection and sustainable development that were already identified, both sides can also enhance exchanges in bird flu prevention and preparations for the Olympics. A more active role should be given to the Task Forces. Fourth, to properly handle major concerns of each other, and build up understanding, narrow differences and expand cooperation through dialogue and consultations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits.

Blair noted that China's rapid development is not a threat, but an important opportunity. His successful visit to China in September this year has further strengthened this conviction. He expressed full agreement with Hu's related suggestions on further developing bilateral relations and made positive response.

When taking about China-EU relations, Hu said that to further consolidate and develop China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership is of great significance to world peace, stability and prosperity. China gives top priority to China-EU relations and hopes to see EU's more important role in European and international affairs. Blair indicated that the EU attaches great importance to continuously strengthening relations with China and will continue efforts to push for addressing China's concerns on related issues

The two leaders also exchanged views on the current major international and regional issues.

Following the talks, Hu and Blair jointly attended the signing ceremony of the joint communiqué of the 5th meeting of China-UK joint committee on economy and trade and the document on bilateral cooperation in related areas including aviation.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and other Chinese companions, as well as Deputy UK Prime Minister John Prescott and other officials attended the meeting.