Joint Statement from Government of the People's Republic of China & Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Statement by Government of the People's Republic of China & Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
I. At the invitation of the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, H.E. Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China paid an official visit to the UK from 16 to 19 June 2014 and held the Annual Prime Ministers’ Meeting. The two sides had in-depth discussions on bilateral relations, practical cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of mutual interest. Both sides underlined that since the establishment of the China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership ten years ago, bilateral relations have made significant progress, with frequent political exchanges and substantial cooperation in economics, trade, education, climate change and energy, science, technology and culture. As P5 members, both sides believe that deepening China-UK relations is not only in the fundamental interests of both countries but is also conducive to maintaining world peace and stability. They agreed to work together to push forward bilateral cooperation in growth, reform and innovation.
II.As such the UK and China have agreed that their comprehensive, strategic partnership has become an indispensable element of each other’s foreign policy agendas. As comprehensive strategic partners, China and the UK view each other’s development as important opportunities. Both sides agreed to increase high-level visits in order to guide the development of bilateral relations. Both sides spoke highly of the important role of high-level exchange mechanisms, including the Annual Prime Ministers’ Meeting, Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), High-Level People-to-People Dialogue and Strategic Dialogue, and agreed to further enrich their formats and contents. Both sides agreed to hold the sixth round of the Economic and Financial Dialogue in the middle of September this year in the UK.
III. Both sides agreed that reform and innovation are of high significance to the economic and social development of a country. The UK side takes note of decisions taken during the 3rd Plenum of the 18th CPC Central Committee in November 2013 regarding comprehensively deepening reform, supports China’s efforts in deepening economic structural reform to have the market play a decisive role in resource allocation and promote sustained, sound economic and social development. Both sides will designate relevant think tanks in co-hosting the China-UK Reform and Innovation Forum.
IV. Both sides are committed to an open global economy, trade liberalisation and stand ready to expand economic and trade cooperation and promote development in each other’s markets. They renewed their commitment to the joint target of $100 billion by 2015.
V. Both sides stressed the importance of mutual investment in promoting respective long-term economic growth and employment and spoke highly of the MOU on Strengthening Bilateral Investment Cooperation signed by China’s National Development and Reform Commission and the UK’s Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The MOU on Establishment of a Working Group on Investment Promotion under the Framework of China-UK Joint Commission signed by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the UK’s Department of Business, Innovation and Skills aims at promoting mutual investment, providing a favorable external environment for business investment from the other party and maintaining policy continuity to protect the interests of foreign investors. The Chinese side encourages and supports capable Chinese companies to invest in the UK, which will in turn support the expansion of Chinese companies in other advanced markets and the UK side recognises Chinese companies’ increasing investment in the UK in recent years, and welcomes their continuous investment in infrastructure sectors such as transportation and energy, particularly nuclear, high-speed rail, offshore wind power and photovoltaic projects.
VI. Both sides recognised the complementary skills and expertise of both countries in delivering affordable, efficient and sustainable infrastructure, and welcomed progress in working together. Both sides agreed to establish a strategic partnership on infrastructure and committed to working together to support further collaboration between UK and Chinese companies, on more projects.
VII. Both governments agreed that energy collaboration was a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. This collaboration supports the clean and low carbon energy transition and is conducive to affordable and secure energy supplies for the future. In this regard, both sides welcomed the cooperation on civil nuclear energy and signing of a joint statement on civil nuclear power. Both sides welcomed Chinese and UK companies’ participation in civil energy projects in each other’s country. The UK welcomed Chinese investment and progressive participation in the construction of new build nuclear energy projects in the UK, and was open to Chinese companies leading the development of other nuclear power station site(s) in the UK and the potential deployment of Chinese reactor technology in the UK, subject to meeting the stringent requirements of the UK’s independent regulators. Both countries recognised that companies entering into the UK through partnership would be in the best position later to maximise the growing opportunities that will be on offer in the UK nuclear market. Both sides stand ready to work together to ensure the success of Hinkley Point as soon as possible. Both sides welcomed the signing of an agreement to collaborate further in the field of nuclear fuel supply-chain and agreed to work together to strengthen cooperation in areas including waste treatment and decommissioning.
VIII. Both sides agreed to promote substantive co-operation between the UK and China on rail (including high-speed rail), in areas including design, engineering, construction, supply operation and maintenance, on projects in China and the UK. To this end both sides welcomed the MOU on Collaboration in the Field of Rail Transportation.
IX. Both sides will strengthen concrete cooperation in offshore wind power technology, installation standards and financing mechanisms and jointly consider establishing a training center for offshore wind power technologies according to the MOU between China and the UK on Offshore Wind Power Cooperation.
X. Both sides welcome a greater role of RMB in international trade and investment and the establishment of an RMB clearing bank in London. The UK regulatory authorities have agreed to consider applications from Chinese banks to set up branches for wholesale business in the UK; the UK also encourages Chinese companies to issue RMB-denominated bonds at the London Stock Exchange. Both sides welcome the strong growth of London’s RMB markets, making London one of the most active RMB centres in the world, and stand ready to work together to strengthen it. Both sides welcome direct transaction between RMB and Pound Sterling in their respective foreign exchange markets.
XI. Both sides agreed to continue and deepen the already outstanding cooperation between the UK and China in promoting free trade, strengthen cooperation on the China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone, and to encourage two-way trade and investment.
XII. Both sides welcomed their strong cooperation on people-centred and holistic urbanisation. In particular, both sides agreed to increase policy exchange and technological collaboration on low carbon urban planning, air and water pollution control, and healthcare development and reforms. Both sides welcomed the signing of the MOU on Strengthening Cooperation on Green and Low Carbon Urbanisation.
XIII. Both sides agreed to step up cooperation in aerospace and maritime development.
XIV. Both sides welcome the growing UK-China collaboration on healthcare development and reform.
XV. The UK agrees to work to promote and facilitate bilateral high-tech trade with China for civil end uses and civil end users.
XVI. Both sides agree on the importance of effective intellectual property (IP) protection to stimulate innovation and economic development. Both sides will work together to help British companies protect IP in China and Chinese companies protect IP in the UK. Both sides welcome cooperation activities between relevant agencies and agree to further exchanges on issues of mutual interest in terms of global IP frameworks.
XVII. Both sides agreed to further promote people-to-people exchange and cooperation to deepen mutual understanding and perception between the two peoples. The two sides agreed to set 2015 as a year of UK-China cultural exchange: the first half of the year for the UK season of culture in China; the second half of the year for the Chinese season of culture in the UK. The two sides would cooperate closely in this regard.
XVIII. Both sides see great value in cooperation between institutions of higher learning, primary and secondary schools, as well as exchanges among students and researchers, will deepen cooperation in higher education, technical, vocational and professional education, scientific research and innovation, and push forward Mandarin teaching in the UK and English teaching in China. China will send 10,000 government-sponsored students and scholars to the UK in the next five years, and the UK will send 80,000 students to China for study by 2020. Both sides welcome intern students from the other party.
XIX. Both sides attach importance to the China-UK Joint Scientific Innovation Fund, and will enable research and innovation in key areas which are priorities for both countries: health, environmental technologies, food and water, urbanisation, energy and education. The UK and China recognised their role as global leaders in science and innovation and stressed the importance of substantial investment in large scale facilities for pioneering research and future technologies. Both sides welcomed the launch of the program which will deliver Fellowships, PhD Partnerships, Science and Innovation Bridges and a Climate Science Partnership. China agreed to join the UK to promote the Square Kilometre Array.
XX. Both sides agreed to promote exchange and cooperation on cultural and creative industries, press and publication, radio, film and television. Both sides agreed to promote the translation of each other’s contemporary literary classics.
XXI. China and the UK will establish Consulates General in Belfast and Wuhan respectively, and both sides will provide assistance to each other in this regard. Both sides agreed to jointly push forward negotiations on the bilateral consular treaty. Both sides agreed to adopt active measures to streamline and simplify visa application procedures for closer interaction between the two peoples and the development of tourism.
XXII. Both sides will promote early ratification of the Agreement between China and the UK on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters by their legislative bodies to enhance the efficiency in their joint efforts in fighting crime. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in fighting illegal migration as provided for in the 2004 Migration MOU. Both sides will strengthen cooperation in judicial and law enforcement.
XXIII. Both sides stand ready to deepen understanding of each other’s development paths and strengthen political trust. Both sides emphasise the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and the rule of law and stand ready to strengthen their human rights dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect. In line with its longstanding policy, the UK recognises that Tibet is part of the People’s Republic of China and does not support Tibetan independence. Both sides agreed it is both in China and the UK’s interests to promote the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong in accordance with the “one country, two systems” principle and the basic law.
XXIV. Both sides attach high importance to deepening the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and welcome the Joint Statement of Deepening the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Mutual Benefit published during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Europe. Both sides are committed to working continuously to implement the EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda, promote EU-China cooperation and take concrete actions to forge the EU-China partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilisation. Both sides support negotiations for an EU-China investment agreement to lift pragmatic cooperation to a new level, in particular, to facilitate mutually beneficial access to each other’s investment and services markets. Both sides reaffirm their commitment to the long term goal of an ambitious and comprehensive EU China free trade agreement, in accordance with the EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda. In support of this goal, the two sides support China and the EU in launching a joint feasibility study on an EU-China trade agreement as early as possible when conditions are right. To begin exploring the associated issues, both sides participated in a productive academic and business workshop on Prospects for EU-China Trade: the EU-China Free Trade Agreement and China’s Free Trade Zones.
XXV. The international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. Both sides agreed that as major countries with global influence and permanent members of the UN Security Council, their close cooperation is conducive to tackling the global challenges of the 21st century. Both sides will make active contribution to international peace, security and development in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
XXVI. Both sides stand ready to strengthen international cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral level and under the China-EU framework and will adhere to the principle of peaceful settlement of international and regional disputes through dialogue and on the basis of the UN Charter and international law. We will work actively to promote the peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, the North Korean nuclear issue, Ukraine, Syria, Middle East, Afghanistan and other hot-spot issues. The two sides will maintain regular exchanges on climate change, international development, counter proliferation, food security and other global challenges, and strengthen coordination and cooperation on UN peacekeeping missions. Both sides welcomed constructive and frank discussions of cyber issues through the UK-China Cyber Dialogue. The UK and China agree on the importance of ending the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war worldwide.
XXVII. Both sides are committed to a post-2015 development framework centered on the eradication of poverty and promotion of common growth. Both sides stand ready to strengthen cooperation on supporting development and security in Africa. Both sides welcomed their collaboration on global health issues.
XXVIII. Both sides welcomed the Joint Statement on Climate Change released during the summit. The UK and China both recognise the clear imperative to work together towards a global framework for ambitious climate change action, since this will support efforts to bring about low carbon transitions in our own countries, and agreed to strengthen policy dialogue and practical cooperation.
XXIX. Both sides are ready to make joint efforts for the strong, balanced and sustainable growth of global economy, maintain and consolidate the multilateral trade systems represented by WTO, and oppose protectionism of any form. Both sides support the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, and will work for an open world economy and a positive and result-oriented comprehensive growth strategy to be announced on the G20 Brisbane Summit.
XXX. Both sides agreed to promote cultural harmony, cherish the diversity and richness of different cultures, and promote dialogue and mutual learning among cultures to share the progress of human civilisation.
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