Li invites Cameron to visit China

Premier Li Keqiang telephoned British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday afternoon to congratulate him on his election victory and invite him to visit China within this year.

China-UK relations have continuously made new progress in recent years, Li said, adding that he and Cameron had several meetings and also communications on the phone.

Li said, the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing relations with the United Kingdom, is willing to work with the new British government led by Cameron to strengthen political mutual trust, implement the interaction and dialogue at all levels and in various fields, promote trade, investment and finance cooperation, and withstand challenges posed by the international economic downturn.

Li invited Cameron to visit China and hold a new round of premiers'annual meeting.

Cameron thanked Li for his congratulations and invitation, adding that the UK-China relations are in the golden period.

Cameron said that he cherished the close working relationships with the Chinese leaders and would love to strengthen the communication and cooperation with China, promote the bilateral relations in the next five years to achieve greater development.

He said he is looking forward to visiting China and holding the annual meeting, and he will deepen the bilateral pragmatic cooperation with China in all areas.

The Conservative Party won an outright majority in the House of Commons on May 8, and Cameron has completed a reshuffle of the first Tory cabinet for 18 years.

Britain is China’s second-largest trade partner in the European Union and a main source of China’s inbound investment.

Last year, the trade volume between the two countries reached $80 billion. This figure is expected to reach $100 billion this year despite structural readjustments to the Chinese economy.

Cameron visited China in 2010 and 2013 as the prime pinister in the past five years.