Brown makes first visit to China as PM; focuses on trade (Roundup)

(M&C) - Gordon Brown has arrived in Beijing for the start of his first visit to the country as prime minister.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L), Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C), and Britain's Secretary of State for Business John Hutton (R) during the Sino-Britain Industrial and Commercial Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 18 January 2008. Brown is on his first visit to China as Prime Minister, and he is expected to focus on the environment, the crisis in Darfur, and economic trade between the two countries. EPA/DIEGO AZUBELMr Brown and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao both discussed trade in their opening discussions at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.Speaking to reporters following talks in the capital, Mr Brown said the trade relationship between the two countries was "absolutely crucial" to the health of the world's economy. He said he and Mr Wen had agreed to boost two-way trade to £30bn over the next two years."I believe that tens of thousands of jobs in Britain for British workers can be created by the closer co-operation between our two countries," Mr Brown said. "It's true we are able to sell to China not just financial and business services and environmental technologies, but also a whole range of British brands that are now becoming very popular among the rising number of Chinese consumers." He added: "We said we want Britain to be the number one destination of choice for Chinese business as it invests in the rest of the world."Premier Wen confirmed the increase in bilateral trade at the joint press conference.

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NoharnessJan 18th, 2008 - 21:03:38

Oh this is gonna be good!

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3210689.ece

Snippet:'Gordon Brown has opened the door to billions of pounds of investments from China today by giving the go-ahead for its state investment arm to take stakes in British companies.

'During a visit to Beijing the Prime Minister agreed to a request from China to allow its sovereign wealth fund, which has a capitalisation of $200 billion, to begin investing in Britain.

'In a joint press conference with Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier, Mr Brown said the move would bring welcome investment to Britain and urged the fund to choose London as the base for its first overseas office.

In return Mr Wen gave him both private and public assurances that China’s state investment company would meet British requirements for transparency and corporate governance rules and would operate on a purely commercial rather than a political basis.'

Just remember, folks! Where there's a whip, there's a way!

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For Richer or PoorerJan 19th, 2008 - 10:06:11

Folks, nations who acquire strong economic clout will be our partners, even if it means they are influencing our most fundamental of institutions. What we believe in be damned. Riches rule over principles.

Say it ain't so Britain, America, and all who abandon their integrity. Yet, hasn't this been going on for years? We are in their debt.

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NoharnessJan 19th, 2008 - 15:25:16

Where there is a whip, there IS a way. We WILL find the way.

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Brown makes first visit to China as PM; focuses on trade (Roundup)

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