Britain’s £9bn Brexit trade deal as PM hails Chinese ‘golden era’
THERESA May yesterday hailed a “golden era” with China as she set out an ambitious £9billion trade bonanza.
The Prime Minister held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping over new post-Brexit trade deals, calling the discussions “very successful”.
In an 80-minute meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, President Xi told her China’s markets would be further opened to the UK, including in sectors such as beef, dairy and other agricultural goods.
Following the talks, a senior Government source said: “This was the world’s fastest-growing economy making it clear it’s very much open for British business and wants to get things done. It’s what Brexit vision is all about.”
Mrs May told the President the 50-strong business delegation that accompanied her to China during her three-day visit had found the trip to be a success.
Trade and investment deals worth at least £9billion to both countries are now expected to be signed.
Speaking alongside President Xi, Mrs May said: “In 2015, you paid a very successful state visit to the United Kingdom and it was then that the golden era of UK-China relations was established.
Investment
“Since then I think we have indeed achieved a great deal in enhancing the links between our two countries, both in terms of people links and also trading links. We now see trade valued at nearly £60billion, and 600,000 visas issued to Chinese visitors to the United Kingdom.
“I welcome the investment that has been made in the United Kingdom but also the growing trade links that we have between our two countries.
“I’ve been pleased to bring a very large business delegation here. We’ve had a very successful visit. But, as you say, the links between us go beyond trade.
“I’m very pleased with the people to people links we have been able to build on in education and in culture too.
“I’m very pleased to be here in China, to take further forward the global strategic partnership that we have established between the United Kingdom and China.”
Mrs May also raised her crusade to tackle the scourge of plastic waste polluting the world’s oceans, telling the Chinese President of the international “collective responsibility” to tackle the problem.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The PM and President agreed the importance of having frank conversations in areas where the two countries do not see eye to eye, and looked forward to further deepening their ties in the golden era, including in areas such as culture and education.”