On October 22 local time, President Xi Jinping held a group meeting in London with UK friends including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Xi Jinping first thanked all the UK friends present for their important contributions to the development of China-UK relations. He pointed out that the development of bilateral relations is indispensable to the support and efforts of friends from all walks of life. I stand ready to listen to your opinions and suggestions on promoting the development of China-UK relations.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chairman of the 48 Group Club Stephen Perry, President of the British Exporters Association (BExA) Lord Richard Needham, former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Baron Michael Heseltine and others delivered speeches one by one. They congratulated on President Xi Jinping's successful visit to the UK and expressed that they are delighted to see the numerous consensus and cooperation agreements reached by the two countries during the visit. Over the past 30-plus years, China has successfully shaken hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and now is heading towards the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. China's transformation from a country pursuing foreign capital in the past to today's significant investor to other countries reflects its huge leap forward in economic and social development. China is destined to play an important role in the international community. Connectivity is the bridge for EU-China cooperation and the UK supports the constructions of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the "Belt and Road".

Xi Jinping listened to the speeches of the UK friends and pointed out that from your speeches, I deeply feel that China-UK relations are gradually developing and growing in these decades, which are unshakable and even become firmer as time goes by with the painstaking care of the UK people from all walks of life. During the current visit to the UK, we have decided to jointly build China-UK global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century, with which I am satisfied.

Xi Jinping stressed that the Chinese people are striving to realize the "two centenary goals". China's continuous deepening of reform and opening-up and constant release of vitality and potential will bring more opportunities to countries around the world including the UK. China's new normal economy and the enhancement of docking of bilateral industry development strategies will boost bilateral economic and social development and better benefit the two peoples. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen international cooperation within the framework of the "Belt and Road" to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results with relevant countries. China adheres to the path of peace, advocates to build a community of shared destiny for mankind and to establish a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation as the core. I hope that you will continue to support the development of China-UK relations and play a bigger role in promoting bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation and enhancing the friendship between our two peoples.

Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Lord Peter Mandelson, Foreign Advisor to former British Prime Minister Charles Powell, and Minister of State at the Home Office Lord Michael Bates of the UK, Chairman of the China-Britain Business Council Lord James Sassoon, Executive Director of China-Britain Business Council Richard Pascoe, Director of "Chopsticks Club" H-J Colston, President of the Royal Society Sir Paul Nurse, Chairman of the British East Asia Council Ron Dennis, scholar Jacques and others were also present.

Wang Huning, Yang Jiechi and others attended the meeting.