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Airbus, banking deals cement China-EU ties
By Hu Qihua and Xu Dashan (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-07 05:35
Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, after three hours of wide-ranging discussion, yesterday oversaw the signing of a series of trade contracts including airline and banking deals.
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| Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, background, left, watches as from left, Iain Gray MD of Airbus UK, Phillipe Lim Vice President of Airbus China, and Si Xinmin Presidant of China Southern Airlines Ltd agree a purchase agreement for ten Airbus 330's, during the EU/China summit in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China, Tuesday Sept. 6, 2005. [AP] |
The British leader initially met Wen on Monday at the annual EU-China summit, as Britain currently holds the six-month rotating EU presidency. Blair was present yesterday on the Sino-British leg of the trip.
"I think it is fair to call our meetings in-depth, practical, frank and productive," Wen said. "I do believe that this is a very important visit, so that we can discuss our relations and major international and regional issues of common concern."
Blair praised the approach China had taken during the two days, which included a settlement of a Sino-EU trade row that had left 80 million Chinese-made garments piled up in European ports.
"The length of our meetings both yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) gave us an opportunity to discuss issues in depth, but it has really been the frankness and openness of our discussions that have been most appreciated," Blair said.
He said the chance to exchange views had made him "very content indeed."
Trade and investment took up most of their time, but they also touched on other subjects such as human rights, China's market economy status, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
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