British PM upbeat on Brexit, but polls suggest voter unrest

Economy is faltering

The government has already lost one important vote on Brexit in December, and May faces losing more in the new year.

Bookmakers give slim odds that May will still be prime minister by the end of this year. One gave odds of 11-8 and another of 5-4.

In addition, the British economy is faltering and voters are getting poorer. Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility said economic growth was 1.5 percent in 2017 and is forecast to be 1.4 percent in 2018. Inflation is running at around 3 percent, and interest rates are expected to rise again this year.

It is unlikely that 2018 will see any major change in China-UK relations. May is expected to visit China in the new year, which will further enhance the "golden era" of relations.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies are heavily engaged in Britain, but they will be studying the Brexit negotiations to see how it might affect them. A deal that restricts access to Europe for Chinese companies may force them to rethink their business strategies.

May concluded her message by stating that any year brings its challenges - for individuals, countries and the world.

"The real test is not whether challenges come; it's how you face them. Whether you allow a task to overcome you, or tackle it head on with purpose and resolve," she said.

conal@mail.chinadailyuk.com