Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in London on Tuesday, starting his working visit to Britain.

 

In his statement upon arrival, he said that since China and the United Kingdom established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2004, China-UK relations have made continued progress.

 

"In paying this visit, which is part of the annual meetings between the heads of government of the two countries, I hope to broaden China's relationship with the UK and lift it to a higher level," he said.

 

Wen will hold talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other leaders on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

 

He will also meet with representatives of the British public "to deepen mutual understanding and friendship and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields," the statement said.

 

Wen arrived in London after concluding his Finland trip. During his stay in Helsinki, Wen attended the ninth China-EU Summit and the sixth Asia-Europe Meeting and paid an official visit to Finland as guest of Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.

 

Britain is the second-leg of Wen's visit. He will visit Germany and central Asia's Tajikistan, where he will also attend the fifth Meeting of Prime Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, due to be held in Tajikistan's capital of Dushanbe.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2006)