China UK Relations: UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to visit China

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02:14

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will pay an official visit to China on July 30 and will co-host the Ninth China-UK Strategic Dialogue. So what's high on the agenda, and what outcomes are expected. Our reporter Zou Yun visited the UK Embassy to China and found out.

Deepening cooperation on free trade, multilateralism and global governance. All are atop the agenda ahead of the Ninth China-UK Strategic Dialogue.

UK Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward says lively discussions are expected, given ongoing trade tensions, like the one between China and the US. Both, along with the U.K. have shared interests on the effective running of international organizations like the UN and WTO.

BARBARA WOODWARD UK AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "The UK is a very very strong supporter of free trade and multilateralism. And we will want to work with China to make sure the WTO is able to respond to these, and to preserve and protect the free trade order. And from our point of view, the free trade and trade war between the US and China will best be averted as long as market open up."

Earlier this week, the British government proposed that foreign takeovers of UK companies will be subject to additional scrutiny - a move many say is a measure taken against China. Ambassador Woodward says that's not the case.

BARBARA WOODWARD UK AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "I found that quite surprising, because when I look at the welcome the UK has given to Chinese investment, I would say the UK is perhaps more welcoming of Chinese investment than other countries have been. I think it's a mistake to think of this as a measure taken against China."

Moreover, both sides will also have in-depth discussions on climate cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, as well as regional issues.

ZOU YUN BEIJING "Both China and the UK highly value deepening cooperation with one another. And it's hoped that foreign secretary Hunt's visit will help further enhance ties, despite the rising trend of anti-globalization, and pushing forward the "Golden Era" for bilateral relations. ZY, CGTN, BJ."