The Government of the United Kingdom celebrated 35 years of ambassadorial diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on March 13. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his British counterpart Tony Blair exchanged messages of congratulation.

According to Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in his message, Wen said that thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, China-Britain relations have grown steadily in the past 35 years and both countries have enjoyed high-level and extensive cooperation, in particular since the forging of comprehensive strategic partnership in 2004. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Britain have shared interest in and responsibility for upholding world peace and security and promoting common development and prosperity, Wen said. China will continue to work with Britain to push for in-depth development of their comprehensive strategic partnership and usher in an even brighter future for bilateral relations, he added.

Blair said in his message that bilateral relationship is more extensive and in-depth than it has ever been. He said that the achievements that have been made since the smooth return of Hong Kong to China in 1997 fully prove the success of the policy of "one country, two systems." Britain welcomes China's increasingly important role on the international arena, which offers new opportunities for the two countries to deepen comprehensive strategic partnership, said Blair. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, Britain and China should work closely together in international and regional affairs and jointly address global challenges, and their cooperation will "underpin world stability and create an environment in which we can all benefit from globalization," Blair said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Margaret Beckett also exchanged messages of congratulation on the same day.

Over the past 35 years, the breadth and depth of diplomatic relations between UK and China has grown significantlty and now covers a broad range of areas of mutual interest to both countries. In 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Tony Blair signaled a new era in the relationship with the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Since then, the pace and scale of the relationship has quickened dramatically.

Dialogue between the leaders of the two countries is frequent. Former President Jiang Zemin visited Britain in 1999, President Hu Jintao visited in 2005 and Premier Wen Jiabao visited in 2006. Prime Minister Blair visited China in 2003 and 2005 and each year there are a great number of visits in both directions by senior ministers and government officials. Prime Ministerial summits are held every year and the work of the China and UK Task Forces provides a firm platform for new initiatives in priority areas.

There are a number of outstanding achievements to commemorate. In investment and trade, Britain is the largest European investor in China, a position it has occupied for several years. China now publishes more scientific research papers with Britain than any other European country. Chinese students in Britain form the largest group from any single nation.

The anniversary will be marked by a number of commemorative events held in Beijing and London this month.

(Source: British Embassy to China)