CRI听力: British Leaders Congratulate PRC on 60th Anniversary

Anchor: Chinese people's celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China has aroused great interest among British society. During Thursday's National Day reception banquet hosted by the Chinese Embassy in London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other British government leaders sent congratulatory messages on this important anniversary and praised China's role on the world stage. CRI correspondent in London Li Ningjing reports.

Reporter: At the opening of the Chinese Embassy in London's National Day reception, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent a televised message to a gathering of 1,000 overseas Chinese representatives and British guests. In his message, Brown congratulated the Chinese people on the 60th anniversary on behalf of the British government. He praised China's important role on the world stage and wished for good momentum in Sino-British bilateral relations. (www.hXen.com)

"Today the country that for centuries gave the world so many important inventions and accounting for so much of its economic growth, has been restored to its position as a great global partner, and your role in the global economy means that we in Britain have deep interest in your continued stability, prosperity, and success. Built and strengthened through our policy of close dialogue and engagement, our relations are at the best it has ever been."

British Home Secretary Allen Johnson, who delivered a speech at the reception, says the interests of Britain and China are increasingly intertwined. He hopes the two country's relations will get even stronger.

"Since the policies of reform began in 1978, China has contributed more to global economic growth than any other country in the world. At a time of relative weakness in advanced economies, China's role as a global driver of growth is more important than ever. By the middle of this century, on the current projections, China will be the dominant world economy, which will place huge responsibility on your country's shoulders."

British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, Minister for Trade, Investment and Business Lord Davis, and former British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott also attended the reception.

During her speech at the reception, Chinese Ambassador Madam Fu Ying reviewed China's development over the past six decades, and stressed that the most important achievement for China has been its increase in living standards that has improved life for many of the country's poor.

"Today, when the world cheers for China, when we hear cries for President Hu Jintao's statement at the UN podium on climate change, we realize that China has come to the world stage. China's words and deeds and China's every success has become important to the world, likewise, what happens in the world affects China directly. So we need to learn and fulfill the international responsibilities time has endowed on us and contribute to building harmony and prosperity in other parts of the world".

Li Ningjing, CRI News, London.