Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao due in UK

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is due to arrive in the UK later for the UK-China Strategic Summit.

Mr Wen will visit the MG car plant at Longbridge, near Birmingham, on Sunday. The plant used to make MG Rover cars, but is now owned by China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

The first new MG for 16 years rolled off the production line in Longbridge earlier this year.

On Sunday, Mr Wen will meet UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

The summit is an annual meeting between the two countries. The last one took place in Beijing in November last year.

The aim of the summit is to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

With China having overtaken Japan as the world's second largest economy, many European companies are looking for investment, while Chinese acquisitions in Europe have also been increasing.

Earlier this month, Chinese PC maker Lenovo agreed to buy German electronics retailer Medion in a bid to boost its market share in Europe.

A lot of luxury goods companies have also been focusing their attention on China, as the country now has a large, growing middle class with money to spend.

Source:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13908584

China's Premier promises steps to boost UK trade

China's Premier Wen Jiabao has pledged to take measures to increase trade between Britain and China.

Mr Wen, who is on a three-day visit, said he wanted to welcome more UK products into China.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC's business editor, Robert Peston, he also said he would like to see more enterprises based on the model used by the MG car plant at Longbridge.

The factory designs and assembles in the UK, with parts made in China.

Mr Wen visited the plant, once the site of Britain's mass-car manufacturing, which is now owned by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).

The Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said China offered "huge opportunities" adding that it was important to have a full dialogue with China.

Up to £1bn worth of business deals are expected to be announced during Mr Wen's three-day UK tour.

Mr Hunt, who earlier accompanied the life-long Shakespeare admirer Mr Wen to Stratford-Upon-Avon, said: "We want to have a broad-based relationship with China which encompasses political, economic and social dialogue.

"It's obviously an incredibly important economic power and a massive investor in the UK.

"But what this visit is about is saying that it's not just about jobs, it's also about a broader cultural relationship which is the best possible way to make sure we understand each other and avoid the kind of misunderstanding that so can bedevil relationships, as has happened in the past."

'Flagship projects'

With China having overtaken Japan as the world's second largest economy, many European companies are looking for investment, while Chinese acquisitions in Europe have also been increasing.

Mr Wen is thought to be leading a Chinese bid for work on the HS2 high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham.

Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming said last week China was looking for "flagship projects" and had "the knowledge, expertise and experience" to assist with HS2.

On Monday, Mr Wen will attend the annual UK-China Strategic Summit and meet his British counterpart, David Cameron.

That meeting will also involve the Foreign Secretary William Hague and the Chancellor George Osborne.

Mr Wen will also hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and business leaders, before leaving for Germany on Monday.

Euro support

Mr Wen flew into Birmingham airport on Saturday night, and was met by Trade Minister Stephen Green and Britain's ambassador to Beijing Sebastian Wood, the Foreign Office said.

He had come from Hungary, where he was asked about the debt crisis in Europe, and especially the situation in Greece.

"China will consistently support Europe and the euro," Mr Wen said.

He said he was confident the eurozone could overcome its problems.

"Europe's debt crisis is expanding. Trust is more important than currency and gold and now, during the debt crisis, we again bring trust to Europe.

"I have total trust in Europe's economic development," he added.

China has foreign reserves of about $3tn and is believed to be diversifying some of its holdings from US dollars into euros and other currencies.

Human rights
While economic, commercial and political ties are the focus of the visit, Britain remains concerned about China's human rights record and the issue is expected to be raised in talks, says the BBC's Adam Mynott.

Last week dissident artist Ai Weiwei was released from custody in China, heading off protests which might have greeted Mr Wen's visit to Britain.

On Saturday news broke that another prominent Chinese dissident, Hu Jia, had been released from prison and reunited with his family.

He had campaigned for the environment and in support of patients with Aids.

But the Free Tibet pressure group has held a demonstration outside the Longbridge plant and has promised to hold demonstrations outside Downing Street when Mr Wen goes to meet Mr Cameron.

Source:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13918113

Make no mistake that China will do exactly what China needs and wants.
Perfidious economics.