LONDON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to join hands with Britain to firmly uphold the multilateral trade regime, Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said here Monday.
"The UK has always been an active advocate for free trade and a firm defender of multilateral trade regime. We look forward to joining hands with people from all walks of life in Britain to firmly uphold the multilateral trade regime," Liu made the remarks when delivering a keynote speech in Asia House on the China-U.S. trade dispute.
In his speech, Liu said China and the United States have reached consensuses on economic and trade issues, pledging not to engage in a trade war after Chinese Vice Premier Liu He visited the United States as a special envoy of President Xi Jinping.
"For the peoples of both China and the United States, and for all those who have been concerned about how the trade disputes might evolve, this is really good news," he said.
The ambassador said this outcome has not come easily, which is what Chinese and American people want and is conducive to global economic and trade stability and prosperity.
"This outcome highlights the importance of persistency and perseverance in maintaining sound economic and trade ties between China and the U.S.," he said.
The danger of a China-U.S. "trade war" has abated, but the deep-seated issues underscored by this round of trade disputes deserve some deep and serious thinking, Liu said.
"It is therefore my sincere hope that with this latest effort of China and the U.S. to solve trade disputes, the voice in favor of multilateralism, free trade and win-win cooperation will grow louder over the clamor for unilateralism, protectionism and 'zero-sum games,'" Liu said, adding that he also hoped that following the China-U.S. consensus, international consultations and cooperation will be enhanced and the world economy and trade will take on a stronger momentum.
Liu said China and Britain together can facilitate the sound development of the world economy and global trade, as well as contribute to building a more beautiful future for all mankind.
Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, chairman of Asia House, told Xinhua in an interview that the United States and China are the two largest trading economies in the world.
"A lot of attention is paid to the (China-U.S. trade) issue here in London," he said, stressing that the discussions between the two countries last week led to a "reassuring and encouraging" outcome.
Lord Green noted that China's pledge to promote protection of intellectual property is necessary to the development of China and is also good news for British businesses and European businesses seeking to engage in China.
Based in the heart of London, Asia House is the UK's center of expertise on Asia. It drives economic and political engagement between Europe and Asia by providing a forum for international decision-makers, business leaders and opinion formers to engage in high-level discussions that direct business and political strategies.