Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described the recent negotiations between China and London as a "bright spot" over the past years. He expressed hope that this move will inspire other Western countries to do build a favorable relationship with China.

The British government moved to strengthen financial and diplomatic ties with Beijing when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Britain. "Xi Jinping's 'super state visit' to Britain was enormously successful, and Sino-British relations have entered a 'golden time'," Wang added.

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According to Wang, Britain has suggested that it wants to be China's strongest supporter and best friend.

"I believe that this important development in reality presages future prospects for China's relations with Western countries."

Wang said another sign that the international community is warming up to China is the inclusion of the yuan into the International Monetary Fund's benchmark currency basket. "China's international position and influence have achieved an obvious change," he said.

The UK and the China were on opposing sides of the Cold War, but they had been allies during World War II. Both countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Because of the Cold War, First and Second Opium War, and the status of Hong Kong, and other issues, China-UK relations at some point in history have been complicated. But it has been better at other times.

TagsSino-British, China-UK Relations