China is willing to make efforts with the United Kingdom to further boost the bilateral ties, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing Wednesday.  

Wen made the remarks when meeting with visiting British Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State John Prescott.

Wen praised the current Sino-British relations, and expressed his appreciation for the special panel set up lately by Britain which will focus on how to strengthen the relationship.

Prescott praised China's great achievements in economic development, noting that the British side attaches great importance to developing friendly cooperative relations with China.

Prescott expressed the hope of further strengthening exchanges and cooperation in various areas between Britain and China, and raising the comprehensive partnership between the two sides to a new stage.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2003)