Minister Simmonds’ visit to China
FCO Minister Mark Simmonds starts his 2-day visit to mainland China today.
FCO Minister Mark Simmonds
His visit will strengthen collaboration between UK and China to help tackle climate change, deepen our energy cooperation, and provide better consular service for citizens in both of our countries.
In Beijing, Mr Simmonds will meet the Minister responsible for consular affairs in China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xie Hangsheng, and National Energy Administration Vice Minister Zhang Yuqing. During talks with his Chinese counterparts, Mr Simmonds will discuss a range of climate change and energy issues, and deepen UK-China bilateral cooperation in a number of important areas.
In Chongqing Minister Simmonds will open a brand new Visa Application Centre. He will meet Chongqing Deputy Mayor Weng Jieming, sign a MoU with Chongqing to tackle climate change, and deliver a keynote speech at Chongqing University on climate change and green growth. The speech will highlight the UK-China partnership in the run up to vital climate talks in Paris in 2015.
Minister Simmonds said:
The UK and China are already working closely together on issues such as energy and climate change, to support peace and development in Africa, and cooperation on consular affairs. Through my visit to China this week, I hope to expand our cooperation on consular and a range of global issues.