Cameron promises to champion China's cause in west

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said Britain will act as China's strongest advocate in the west.

The comments from Cameron came as he flew to Beijing pledging to lead a 'dialogue of mutual respect and understanding'.

In a sign of Downing Street's determination to appease Beijing, Cameron said no country was more open to China as he called for a new EU-China free trade agreement.

According to the Guardian, writing in the Chinese weekly news magazine Caixin, Cameron said there is no country in the western world that is more open to Chinese investment, more able to meet the demands of Chinese consumers, or more willing to make the case for economic openness in the G8, the G20 and the European Union.

He added that there is no country more ready to forge a dialogue of mutual respect and understanding that can address issues of concern and advance our shared interests in the world.

Cameron's effusive praise for China came as he landed in Beijing at the head of Britain's largest overseas trade and ministerial mission, designed to restore full relations, the report said.

According to the report, the delegation includes the architect Zaha Hadid, ex-England footballer Graeme Le Saux, Arts Council England chair Sir Peter Bazalgette, the chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, Ralf Speth, and Karren Brady, vice-chairman of West Ham United.