Q: The UK Foreign Office issued a strategy document on relations with China a few days before Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to the UK. How do you comment on this?

A: We have noted that the UK issued "UK and China: A Framework for Engagement” a few days before Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the UK. This is the first time the UK has issued a strategy document on relations with China. We welcome the release of the document which fully indicates the importance attached by the UK to the development of China-UK relations, and also shows the great potential and broad prospects in bilateral cooperation.

Both China and the UK are countries of major impact. To further advance the friendly relations of cooperation in various areas between China and the UK is not only in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also conducive to world peace and development.

China values relations with the UK, and is ready to enhance communication and exchanges with the UK on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, in a bid to push forward China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership. Under the current situation, China and the UK should work together to deepen cooperation and jointly tackle difficulties, so as to contribute to promoting an early recovery of the world economy.