Jeremy Corbyn the leader of the Labour Party held a private meeting with Xi Jinping and discussed the issue of steel imports and human rights, as well as congratulating China on its socio-economic progress. China does not refuse to discuss human rights with western politicians and human rights discussions are not a one-way street. For example, most British Labour Party MPs (not including Jeremy Corbyn) backed the illegal invasion, bombing, killing, maiming and torture of people in Iraq and Afghanistan and the party has not yet even apologised! However, Seumas Milne, a journalist with the Guardian newspaper, has just been appointed as the Labour Party's Executive Director of Strategy and Communications; and his understanding of China's political and economic system is probably the best informed of any mainstream British journalist.

The British debate on social media about Xi Jinping's visit revealed widespread ignorance about China. Many people only look at negative events in China and present low wages and slave-like exploitation as if they are the norm in China. Not a word is said in the British media about the success of the 12th Five Year Plan: in healthcare, education, green energy, and housing for the people, infrastructure projects etc. Instead, nearly every story about China is full of prophesies of doom and gloom.

Understanding reality in China, both of its progress and problems, is essential for the creation of profound economic and societal ties. People need to understand everyday life in both countries, for example, by organising direct links: person-to-person, workplace-to-workplace, and educational exchanges etc. These ties need to be supplemented by regularised processes designed to elaborate long-term socio-economic and cultural development plans at every level of society. The world requires vast initiatives to eradicate hunger, house the people, control disease, treat ill-health, protect the environment, educate the people, raise living standards, and improve the life quality of the people of the world. Cooperation between the people of China and Britain can make a great contribution towards a better world.

Heiko Khoo is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/heikokhoo.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn

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