Xi urges expanding relations with UK

President tells visiting prince both can benefit through innovation

China will continue to boost opening-up and enhance international cooperation in innovation, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remark while meeting with Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Scientific innovation cooperation will result in mutually beneficial outcomes and inject new impetus into the golden era of China-UK relations, Xi said.

Calling Andrew an old friend of the Chinese people, Xi expressed his appreciation for his efforts to further advance China-UK relations.

During the talks, Xi recalled his state visit to Britain in October 2015, saying that the visit ushered in the golden era of China-UK ties.

The current global situation is experiencing great changes, and the golden era of the nations' ties is progressing steadily, Xi said.

Mentioning British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to China early this year, Xi said that the nations' cooperation in all areas has gained good momentum.

China would like to keep enhancing high-level ex-changes with the UK, hold dialogues under different mech-anisms and ensure that China-UK relations keep moving forward steadily and on the right track, Xi said.

China will stick to its path of innovation with Chinese characteristics and implement an innovation-driven strategy for development to fulfill the "Two Centenary Goals", Xi said. The goals are to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 and to turn China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by the middle of the 21st century.

Xi also congratulated members of British royal family for recent good news, including Prince Harry's wedding and Prince Louis' birth.

Xi said that Prince Andrew's visit to China will strengthen China-UK cooperation in innovation.

Xi extended his best regards to Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Andrew also extended her sincere greetings to Xi.

Prince Andrew said that Xi's state visit to the UK in 2015 has greatly promoted UK-China cooperation in all areas.

Britain pays great attention to China's transformation from high-speed growth to high-quality growth, he said, adding that he would like to push forward practical cooperation in science, innovation and industries between the two countries.

Prince Andrew is visiting China to attend Pitch@Palace events with the theme of scientific innovation. Founded by Andrew in 2014 to support his work with entrepreneurs, Pitch@Palace — indicating making a pitch for their ideas at the palace — supports entrepreneurs' acceleration and amplification of their plans. Since 2016, Pitch@Palace Global events have taken place around the world.