Peking University, August 30, 2015: British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary Philip Hammond visited Peking University on August 12.
Chairman of Peking University Council Zhu Shanlu and vice-president of Peking University Li Yansong met with Hammond. It was Hammond’s first visit to China as British Foreign Secretary. His visit was part of a two-day trip to China during which he held talks with his Chinese counterparts on trade and security and paved the way for President Xi’s state visit to Britain later this year.
Enhancing Relationship
Hammond delivered a speech on “21st Century Sino-UK Global Partnership” at the Sunshine Hall of Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center. During the speech, he hailed the positive development of Sino-UK relationship in recent years. Sino-UK relationship was in its golden period in history, and Hammond said Britain was ready to welcome with open arms not only Chinese businesses and investment, but also Chinese innovations and ideas.
Hammond also said that Britain supported President Xi’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative and would cooperate with China on programs such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Hammond gave a very optimistic outlook regardingthe future of Sino-UK relations, stating that the two countries hadan “indispensable partnership”.
In the realm of education, bilateral ties were at its firmest in recent years, Hammond said, referring to the fact that 135,000 Chinese students are studying in Britain at present.
Political cooperation
Speaking of the recent Iran nuclear deal, Hammond, the British representative in the negotiations prior to the deal, was full of praise of China’s cooperation. He said Britain is China’s best partner in Europe.
There could still be a lot more room for further cooperation in various other areas such as global climate change, the threat of the Islamic State and the Ebola epidemic.
More than 300 students and teachers who were taking the PKU-LSE Summer School courses were in attendance.
Who is Philip Hammond?
Philip Hammond is a British Conservative politician currently serving as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, succeeding William Hague in July 2014. He has been an MP since 1997 and previously served as the Secretary of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Defense. He was known for his instrumental role in the Iran nuclear deal and the reopening of the British embassy in Iran.
Written by: Xu Liangdi
Edited by: Yan Shengnan
