China, Britain issue joint statement on closer co-op amid int´l financial crisis

Source: Xinhua | 02-03-2009 08:09

LONDON, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- China and Britain on Monday issued a joint statement, agreeing to strengthen cooperation and actively deal with the international financial crisis.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (2nd R Front) and visiting  Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C Front) attend a breakfast with  guests from the academic and financial circles at 10 Downing  Street in London Feb. 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

As two of the world's leading economies, China and Britain are crucial players in addressing the unstable economic climate, according to the joint statement issued after talks between visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

"We reaffirm our determination to develop still further our comprehensive strategic partnership, based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, in order to support domestic economic growth, prosperity and stability, to tackle the international challenges we face, to foster a global recovery from the current economic crisis, and to pursue sustainable and harmonious development," the statement said.

On China-EU relations, both sides agreed that maintaining the steady development of bilateral ties is essential in the current complicated global political and economic environment.