Central People Government of People Re : China, Britain vow AIIB cooperation, visa facilitation

BEIJING - Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his British counterpart Philip Hammond met in Beijing on Jan 5, vowing more cooperation between their countries in industry, finance and culture.

They also said they will work together on visa facilitation, according to a press release issued after the meeting.

It said China is looking forward to British Prime Minister David Cameron attending the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou this autumn, and will welcome him to visit China at a mutually convenient time to hold the bilateral annual prime ministerial meeting.

The two countries should make full use of high-level dialogue to map out partnerships in culture, finance and security, the release said.

Wang and Hammond agreed they should integrate their development strategies, notably China's Belt and Road Initiative and Britain's plan to upgrade its infrastructure, as well as their plans to revitalize manufacturing.

Wang said China was ready to cooperate more in nuclear power, high-speed rail, as well as under the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which will start operating in mid-January.

According to the press release, China and Britain will increase exchanges in culture, education, sports and healthcare.

At a joint press briefing after their talks, the two foreign ministers announced new steps to relax visa rules.

The two countries will reciprocally issue multiple-entry visas for up to two years to each other's citizens and China hopes that Britain will increase the validity of visas to 10 years to Chinese citizens 'at a proper time.'

The two sides also vowed to conduct closer communication within international organizations such as the United Nations.

Wang said China appreciated Britain working to speed up negotiation on a China-EU investment agreement and to start feasibility research of a China-EU free trade area as early as possible.