London’s Chinatown is decorated with lanterns and streamers to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to the UK. Photo: People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in London for a state visit to Britain. This UK visit will be another quick but fruitful state visit after his US visit.

President Xi visited Russia, South Korea and Mongolia in 2014, all neighboring countries. From February 6-8, 2014, Xi visited Russia to attend the opening ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics and 12 bilateral and multilateral events. Xi then visited South Korea and Mongolia in July and August, respectively, also in 2014. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said President Xi’s series of quick but skillful and fruitful visits are really pioneering.

Based on previous experiences, when Chinese leaders go to Europe for state visits, they will visit several countries at the same time to make it more efficient due to the great distances. However, this time, although Beijing and London are more than 8,000 kilometers apart, President Xi only chose to visit the UK for 5 days. This shows that China pays great importance to the UK and Sino-British relations.

Sino-British relations have quickly developed in recent years. The UK created a lot of firsts in dealing with China in the last decade. The UK joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), established the first overseas RMB clearing center and became the first developed country to issue renminbi sovereign bonds.

Sino-British relations also have rosy prospects. President Xi told Reuters that he is looking forward to meeting the British leader, together with different sectors of society, leading Sino-British relations into a “Golden Age.” China and UK will join hands and create a brighter future together.

Two girls walk pass the Bank of China London Branch. Photo: People’s Daily

London’s Chinatown is decorated with lanterns and streamers to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to the UK. Photo: People’s Daily 

Sino-British relations have a positive impact on relations between China and Europe. 2015 is the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Europe, and relations are entering a new period of stability and prosperity.

In 2014, President Xi visited Germany, France and several other European countries, to establish a strategic cooperation path of peace and reform, and bridging the gap between the two regions.

Britain has been praised as a valued and important EU member, with special and important functions and status in the EU. Jason Wolf, professor at the School of Humanities of the University of Bath, said that healthy Sino-British ties can help lead the development of multilateral relations between China and Europe.

Eric de La Maisonneuve, the president of Société de Stratégie in Paris, said that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to France, Germany, the UK and the US are of great significance, not only strategically but economically as well, because these countries are among the global leaders.

China-Europe strategic corporation is steadily improving. Both China and Europe are in the process of reforms, which provide an opportunity for them to discuss common concerns.