Chief Economist Chen Wenling Meets with the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative

On 24 February 2016, Chief Economist of CCIEE Chen Wenling met with Owen Jenkins, the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Director General for South Asia in British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Xu Zhanchen, head of the Strategic Research Department of CCIEE was also present.

Chen Wenling said that China-UK relationship is in a very good period, and the two countries are enjoying close high-level exchanges. Both governments could strengthen communication and coordination in global and regional affairs, jointly coping with problems and challenges faced by the international community, to enrich the content of China-UK global strategic partnership for the 21st century. Chen Wenling introduced in details the overall planning of China’s One Belt and One Road Initiative and the development of Five Links with countries along the road. She pointed out the Belt and Road Initiative is very important to the development in South Asia. In particular, the strategic vision of the economic corridor between China and Pakistan and the economic corridor between Bangladesh, China, India and Burma will effectively promote the development of infrastructure connectivity, investment and financing in South Asia.

Owen Jenkins expressed that the UK attaches great importance to the friendly relationship with China and is willing to work with China to strengthen political mutual trust in the international security, and the international and regional affairs, working together to make the international order develop towards a more reasonable direction. Jenkins also emphasized British side’s positive response to China’s AIIB and the Belt and Road initiatives. He said his office is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with CCIEE and conduct joint research on the cooperation prospects between China and the UK in South Asia affairs.

The two sides also exchanged views on political and economic situations in South Asia and concrete matters of cooperation.