Trade delegation’s top prize: Pandas coming to Britain
Nick Clegg has welcomed the initial flurry of agreements announced as the Chinese trade delegation reached London – including the gift of two pandas set for Britain’s shores.
Talks between the deputy prime minister and Chinese vice premier Li KeQiang took place at Lancaster House in central London, where the pair witnessed the signing of a range of deals.
But most attention has been lavished on China’s gift of a pair of breeding pandas to Edinburgh Zoo for ten years.
“The kind gift of a loan of a breeding pair of giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yuangguang, is a sign that we can cooperate closely on a broad range of environmental and cultural issues, as well as commerce,” Mr Clegg said.
Mr Li is leading a group of Chinese government officials and business figures visiting Britain this week, with deals worth over £2.6 billion already secured.
Jaguar Land Rover has committed to increasing its sales to China, while BP and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation signed an agreement on deepwater exploration in the South China Sea.
The current visit follows a major trip to China by the British government, led by prime minister David Cameron, last November. Mr Clegg said the delegations reflected “the momentum we are building together towards even stronger relations”.
“Britain needs China because it needs international investment and overseas markets to solve its economic problems – such as the low purchasing power as a result of its tightened monetary policy,” Cui Hongjian of the China Institute of International Studies was quoted as saying by the People’s Daily newspaper.
Mr Li arrived yesterday in Scotland, where he agreed that all ‘Scotch whisky’ sold in China would originate from Scotland.
A £6.4 million energy deal, which will see Scottish technology used in a Chinese renewable energy conversion plant, was also agreed.
Scottish first minister Alex Salmond said yesterday’s talks had been productive.
“Our discussions reflected on the strong economic, cultural and educational ties that exist between our two countries and also opportunities to work together more closely on the generation of renewable energy, particularly through inward investment in major renewables infrastructure projects,” he commented.
The Chinese trade delegation’s visit to Britain comes as the last leg on a trip which has also taken in Germany and Spain.
