CRI听力:China, Britain Pledge Closer Cooperation

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi says China and Britain will enhance cooperation in production capacity, finance and innovation.

"We propose to link major projects, the 'One Belt and One Road' Project and British projects on upgrading manufacturing. We hope to link the "made in China 2025 " and the "made in Britain 2025, " and the Yangtze River Economic Belt Project to the British northern economic center. By working on these programs, the two countries are going to find greater potential for future growth and cooperation."

Wang says cooperation in nuclear power and high-speed rail development program have helped boost bilateral relations.

In 2012, London rolled out a plan to make the city into a major center for RMB trading. With years of efforts, the city has already become an important RMB offshore market.

Wang Yi says he expects more practical cooperation in the financial sector under the framework of the AIIB.

"China supports the establishment of the RMB offshore market in London and will issue an RMB-denominated sovereign bond in London, the first of its kind to be issued outside China. We support Shanghai and London stock exchanges in conducting stock connect feasibility studies. With the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) formally entering into operation by the middle of this month, China is ready to work with the UK under the AIIB framework."

The UK was among the first European economies to embrace the AIIB and participated in the "Belt and Road" Initiative. It has also become a major investment destination for Chinese companies.

The officials also announced new visa policies that will facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Philip Hammond, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs explained new steps to relax visa rules.

"And the best and clearest way in which we can signal our commitment to greater people to people exchanges is through easing of the visa system. From next week, Chinese nationals will be able to apply for a two-year multiple-entry visa to the UK for the same price as they currently apply for a six-month single-entry visa. And we will be extending our on-demand mobile biometric service to a total of fifty sets across China making it easier and faster for Chinese people to apply for visas to visit the UK."

During the meeting the two foreign ministers also issued a statement on Syria, agreeing to advance counter-terrorism efforts and a political settlement to end the conflict in the country.

China and Britain stressed that the Syrian people will decide the future of Syria, with the UN playing a role as the main mediator.

For CRI, I'm Guo Yan.