Xi meets May, calls for better ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping met visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday, calling on both countries to forge an enhanced version of the "Golden Era" bilateral ties.

During their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Xi said peace, development and win-win cooperation have become the mainstream of the times, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two countries need to conform to the trend of the times, respond to the needs of their respective development stage and bilateral cooperation as well as add new meaning into the bilateral ties so as to forge an enhanced version of the "Golden Era," Xi told May.

China and Britain agreed to embrace a "Golden Era" for bilateral relations during Xi's visit to London in October 2015.

May hailed improved trading links between the two nations and said: "I'm very pleased with the people-to-people links we have been able to build on in education and in culture too."

Xi made four proposals during the meeting. Firstly, the two countries should consider and design the future development of ties from a strategic height and in a comprehensive way.

Secondly, both sides should work together to promote economic and trade cooperation.

Thirdly, China and Britain should enhance exchange and cooperation within multilateral institutions such as the UN, G20 and the World Trade Organization to address global challenges.

Fourthly, the two countries should reinforce people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Xi and May also agreed to cooperate in the fight against illegal trafficking of animals. "I am proud of the agreement that the UK and China have made to boost our cooperation in the fight against the illegal ivory trade," the British leader said.

The plan for joint action comes a month after a law banning ivory trade and its derivative products came into effect in China.

This is May's first official visit to China since she took office in 2016. She kicked off her three-day visit to China in the central city of Wuhan on Wednesday and held an annual meeting between heads of government. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was also present.

The two countries signed a dozen of deals in areas including trade, finance, healthcare and smart cities on Wednesday.

--IANS

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