CRI听力:Sino-British Relations to Remain Unaffected by UK Election Outcome

David Cameron and his Conservative Party is looking to return to power with a slender majority in the House of Commons after a heated battle at the ballot box.

But, British economist Nicholas Barr from the London School of Economics says the results of this election will not significantly change the current dynamics of China's links with the UK.

"I think UK relations with China are good. I think all our parties want to see the relationship grow and flourish. I don't see any real difference between the two major parties in their attitude towards China."

But the relationship between Britain's Conservative-led government and China has been something of a roller-coaster ride, especially under Prime Minister David Cameron.

Beijing strongly protested when Cameron met with the ** Lama in 2012. The relationship between the two countries hit another block during the "occupy central" movement in Hong Kong last year.

But Downing Street has been conducting an all-out charm offensive in recent years, trying to attract Chinese investment to a country still grappling with austerity-related cuts.

The UK was one of the first members of the G8 group to become a founding member of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, despite heated opposition from the US.

For London, the change of direction was driven by economic pragmatism.

The UK is now China's second largest trade partner in the EU and a main source of China's inbound investment.

Last year, the trade volume between the two countries reached 80 billion US Dollars. This figure is expected to reach 100 billion US dollars this year despite the structural readjustments to the Chinese Economy.

Last year the UK also simplified the visa system to attract more Chinese tourists.

But according to Professor Barr the critical issue that can have a far reaching impact on the Sino-British relationship is the question of the UK's membership in the European Union. And the outcome of the election has a direct bearing on this.

"From China's point of view the interesting think is Britain's relationship with the EU. I think Britain's relationship with China isn't interesting because the election hasn't any effect on that. Its good and it will stay good whatever the election outcome."

Chinese investors have long seen the UK as a launch pad to the huge 500-million- market in the European Union.

But Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on whether to stay in the EU if he returns to power.

Professor Iain Begg, also from the London School of Economics says an exit from the EU could reduce the UK's importance to China.

"It was political tactics. He was faced by a new party called the UK Independence Party, which wanted to leave the European Union and also the right wing of his own party, the Conservative Party very often opposes the European Union."

The Anti-EU group, the UK independence party has only won 2 seats and therefore is unlikely to become a king-maker in any new coalition. But, Chinese investors will continue to closely watch the political developments in the UK as it unfolds in the following weeks.

For CRI I'm Poornima Weerasekara.