STRENGTHENING COOPERATION
The China-Britain cooperation in such industries as nuclear power and high-speed railways has also drawn widespread attention. Xi said China stands ready to carry out cooperation in capacity and equipment manufacturing with all countries including Britain in order to achieve comprehensive development by linking the comparative advantage of each side.
"The Sino-UK relationship has become very comprehensive since they signed their strategic partnership," said Pardo at the Department of European and International Studies of King's College London, adding that "Chinese and British economic initiatives complement each other very well."
"The UK government's infrastructure investment plans, especially in the North, sit well with the Chinese government's efforts to promote outward investment. Thus, it seems that economic relations will keep on strengthening," Pardo said.
As a result of these cooperation projects, according to Pardo, "British perceptions of China have been improving over the past few years."
Stephen Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that the Chinese president's interview with Reuters shows China's serious intent for a major relationship with the United Kingdom.
The chairman matches China's global leadership and prioritization of nuclear energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, and high-speed trains as a natural fit with British needs.
Perry added that through the interview, Xi sends the clear message that China's transition to a global economy based on market forces is a timely chance for Britain to strike a special economic relationship with China.
This visit should reinforce the positive direction of travel that both governments want, Perry stressed.
"As the Chinese economy that reshapes entirely new opportunities are emerging in different sectors and across the vast country that China is," said Stephen Phillips, chief executive of the China-Britain Business Council.
"So many of us in Britain have had our minds opened and our hearts uplifted when we have encountered the ancient civilization of China and seen its dynamic modern growth," said Judith McClure, convener of the Scotland China Education Network, adding that "it is essential that we do all we can to increase mutual understanding and to open up commercial, investment, educational and cultural links."
"I hope that Mr. Xi's encounters in his visit will give rise to new and long-lasting partnerships between our countries," McClure said.
BRIGHT FUTURE
This year marks the second 10-year comprehensive partnership for the two countries as well as the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Britain ties. Xi stressed that the good China-Britain relationship bodes well for the good China-Europe ties.
"Recognition of China as a global and regional strategic player is growing very much in Europe," said Shada Islam, director of policy at Brussels-based think-tank Friends of Europe, in a recent interview.
Islam upheld that the China-EU ties are based on a fundamental and indispensable necessity.
China and the EU have scored fruitful progress in cooperation since the two sides forged ties 40 years ago, and their leaders have worked out a good road-map for the future, which is based on practical and pragmatic cooperation in areas that the two sides have mutual benefit, such as China's initiative of One Belt and One Road, the EU's Juncker investment plan, innovation, 5G telecommunication technology, education, energy links, urbanization, and smart cities, she said.
The potential for China-EU cooperation is immense, not just in business and economic cooperation, but also on global stage, Islam said.
There has been good cooperation so far over Iran, and both sides are hoping to get similar dialogue going on the Korean Peninsula and need to settle the havoc in Syria, she said.
China is not only an indispensable player economically, but also strategically and politically, Islam added.
