By Li Hongmei
The second Beijing trip by British Prime Minister David Cameron has thus far achieved as much fruit in symbolism as in signing contracts.
Albeit that the two countries have missed out quite a few opportunities to cooperate over the past two years, they come together now with a more mature mindset and with more knowledge of what "core interest" means to each other, and therefore, the both could and would shake hands today on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.
David Cameron oversaw the signing of agreements in areas from space exploration to football training during his official visit to China yesterday.
Cameron was leading Britain's largest trade mission to China, with six government ministers and representatives from business, universities and the health care sector taking part in a three-day visit that includes a stop in Shanghai today. He will also visit Hangzhou and Chengdu.
Cameron met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing yesterday and oversaw the signing of 10 agreements that included a treaty on legal assistance in criminal matters, a pact on space exploration cooperation, and agreements on enhancing bilateral investment and developing China's use of gas.
Li said the two sides would seek to strengthen cooperation between their traditional and new media, and Cameron said Britain would open a consulate in the central city of Wuhan.
Separately, an agreement was announced to expand the British Premier League's program to train Chinese coaches and referees and to boost cooperation between it and China's Super League.
Cameron told Li: "We particularly want to explore all the opportunities of economic openness, openness of Britain to Chinese investment, which we've seen huge amounts of in recent months and years, but also the opportunities for further opening our trade relations."
Cameron said he would advocate a multi-billion-dollar free trade deal between Beijing and the European Union, stoking tensions with the EU executive which said the move was premature.
"China's transformation is one of the defining facts of our lifetime ... I see China's rise as an opportunity, not just for the people of this country but for Britain and the world," Cameron told reporters after meeting Li in Beijing.
"Some in Europe and elsewhere see the world changing and want to shut China off behind a bamboo curtain of trade barriers. Britain wants to tear those trade barriers down."
Li said China welcomed Britain's open attitude to Chinese investment, especially in the nuclear power sector. He said there had been a "breakthrough" between companies on both sides on high-speed rail, but gave no details. His comments fueled speculation Chinese firms might play a role in plans for a high-speed link between London and the north of England.
President Xi Jinping also met Cameron and told him now was the right time for China and the UK to seek stronger cooperation. "We are transforming the mode of economic development, restructuring the economy and encouraging companies to go abroad quickly, while the UK is boosting reform and welcomes foreign investment. This is the moment for stronger cooperation," Xi said.
