Britain's May gets 9 billion pounds in China deals, Xi promises to build on 'golden era'

By William James

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May ahead of a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, February 1, 2018. REUTERS/Wu Hong/Pool

 

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May left China on Friday with deals worth more than 9.3 billion pounds ($13.26 billion), at the end of a three-trade trade mission where President Xi Jinping pledged to upgrade their "golden era" in relations.

 

Britain is trying to reinvent itself as a global trading nation after a 2016 referendum decision to leave the European Union, and China, the world's second-largest economy, is high on the list of countries that Britain wants to sign a free trade agreement with.

 

Speaking at a business summit in China's commercial capital Shanghai, May said Britain was keen to help bring Xi's vision for globalisation and a more open Chinese economy to life.

 

"Meanwhile, the UK is preparing to leave the European Union. We're seizing the opportunity to become an ever-more outward-looking Global Britain, deepening our trade relations with nations around the world - including China," she said.

 

Chinese investment is helping Britain develop infrastructure and create jobs, with some 50,000 British businesses importing goods from China and more than 10,000 sell their goods to China, she added.

 

"We've agreed on moves to bring more of the UK's internationally renowned food and drink to China, to open up the market to some of Britain's world-class financial services providers," May said.

 

The 9.3 billion pounds in deals will create over 2,500 jobs across the United Kingdom, the British government said.

 

Britain's financial services firms alone secured deals worth more than 1 billion pounds and market access, that would lead to 890 jobs, it said, without giving details.

 

China sees Britain as an important ally in its call for more open global markets, despite widespread concerns in the foreign business community about the difficulty of operating in China, and both countries refer to a "golden era" in relations.

 

Meeting in Beijing late on Thursday, Xi told May the two countries should "add new meaning into the bilateral ties so as to forge an enhanced version of the 'Golden Era'," according to state-run media.

 

China has also been appreciative of Britain's enthusiasm for the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Xi's Belt and Road initiative to build a new Silk Road.

 

In a front page commentary on Friday, the overseas edition of the People's Daily said Britain had shown "intelligence and pragmatism" in supporting Belt and Road.

 

"It is a model for other Western nations," it said.

 

But Brexit has unnerved Beijing, concerned about losing an important voice supporting free trade in the European Union and what it may mean for market access to Europe for Chinese firms which have invested in Britain.

 

Still, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told May on Wednesday that China's relations with Britain will remain unchanged through Brexit.

 

($1 = 0.7013 pounds)

 

(Writing and additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-02

....We go forward....

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

"We've agreed on moves to bring more of the UK's internationally renowned food and drink to China,

Soooo, what would they be then, Watney's red barrel and kippers perhaps?

 

 

To get even that piffling amount, she had to sell out on China's "road" plan to take over the world.

Bah humbug.

 

PS. IMO expect an announcement sometime soon that all the treasures Britain looted from China in the Victorian era will be returned.

It amazes me how so many posters and people want to see the UK on its knees. They don't want the UK to do well and be prosperous. Some posters are happy to criticize the UK for leaving the EU and then ridicule it when it does a deal with another country. National pride has gone.  I imagine that these same people still flaunt their British passports going through different countries immigrations, expecting the colonial reception they feel they deserve, whilst stabbing the country in the back. I have a name for those but I would be sent to the naughty corner but I am sure many of you could would it out. Yes it rhymes with bats.

11 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

It amazes me how so many posters and people want to see the UK on its knees. They don't want the UK to do well and be prosperous. Some posters are happy to criticize the UK for leaving the EU and then ridicule it when it does a deal with another country. National pride has gone.  I imagine that these same people still flaunt their British passports going through different countries immigrations, expecting the colonial reception they feel they deserve, whilst stabbing the country in the back. I have a name for those but I would be sent to the naughty corner but I am sure many of you could would it out. Yes it rhymes with bats.

Well I'm sure that there are more than a few million people around the globe that live in countries exploited and abused by Britain in the past that would be more than happy to see Britain become a has been basket case on it's knees. I'm absolutely sure that the Chinese are lovin' it when May comes with the begging bowl.

I can think of a small country where it's people were murdered by the English for centuries that might think it a well deserved pay back.

I'm also sure the once upon a time residents of Diego Garcia that were expelled without mercy won't be sympathising.

Personally, I'm just a bit sad that it's happening, and Britain has been extremely unfortunate with it's politicians since WW2, but everything changes.

And so begins another part of the China growth cycle.....moving into the UK would be just up their One Road!

Of course, the UK accepts!

Xi obviously views the UK as a third world underdeveloped country. He will build a bit of infrastructure and import Marmite while taking our natural resources at a knock down price such as ... er ....well ...coal?

Chinese are building and buying up property in the UK like there is no tomorrow. There is no coal to sell to them, but they do like a bit of Burberry. Any new nuclear power stations can only be built with massive contributions from China and they already own utility companies and wind farms throughout the UK.

It is ironic that a Tory government dead set against Socialism is practically begging for investment from a one party Communist state. Needs must.

May’s visit to China was commended by Beijing’s state-run newspaper, The Global Times, as “pragmatic” due to her silence over unrest in Hong Kong and human rights issues.

 

https://www.wikitribune.com/story/2018/01/28/hong_kong/democratic-candidate-agnes-chow-disqualified-from-hong-kong-election/44938/

 

https://www.wikitribune.com/story/2017/11/06/asia/china/china-extends-national-anthem-law-to-hong-kong-and-macau/17584/

 

In order to sell its products to China, Britain first had to sell its principles and its dignity.

Edited February 2, 20188 yr by Thakkar

22 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Well I'm sure that there are more than a few million people around the globe that live in countries exploited and abused by Britain in the past that would be more than happy to see Britain become a has been basket case on it's knees. I'm absolutely sure that the Chinese are lovin' it when May comes with the begging bowl.

I can think of a small country where it's people were murdered by the English for centuries that might think it a well deserved pay back.

I'm also sure the once upon a time residents of Diego Garcia that were expelled without mercy won't be sympathising.

Personally, I'm just a bit sad that it's happening, and Britain has been extremely unfortunate with it's politicians since WW2, but everything changes.

Are you happy to be a member, though, of the EU which is practically run by  a certain Government which also hated Britain in the past?  Or are you happy to forget all about that?

The UK has a new dawn...They tried the EU and it was crap...Now the UK will get back to deal with the World and not finance spongers..Lets ROCK...

On ‎2‎/‎2‎/‎2018 at 3:20 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

Well I'm sure that there are more than a few million people around the globe that live in countries exploited and abused by Britain in the past that would be more than happy to see Britain become a has been basket case on it's knees. I'm absolutely sure that the Chinese are lovin' it when May comes with the begging bowl.

I can think of a small country where it's people were murdered by the English for centuries that might think it a well deserved pay back.

I'm also sure the once upon a time residents of Diego Garcia that were expelled without mercy won't be sympathising.

Personally, I'm just a bit sad that it's happening, and Britain has been extremely unfortunate with it's politicians since WW2, but everything changes.

Hand your passport in and get an EU one, if it exists. You are on a Thai forum who are more proud and patriotic than most. You seem to be embarrassed about the UK and how they do business with.

You talk about Britain since WW2. What do you think that was about? It is because of that that the EU has morphed into what it is today. The control of Europe without invasion, or cant you see that with those rose tinted glasses?

Edited February 3, 20188 yr by Laughing Gravy

3 hours ago, Retiredandhappyhere said:

Are you happy to be a member, though, of the EU which is practically run by  a certain Government which also hated Britain in the past?  Or are you happy to forget all about that?

I scorn the EU more than the UK. I'm referring to the unelected bureaucrats that run it and the UK, not the people.

3 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Hand your passport in and get an EU one, if it exists. You are on a Thai forum who are more proud and patriotic than most. You seem to be embarrassed about the UK and ho they do business with.

You talk about Britain since WW2. What do you think that was about? It is because of that that the EU has morphed into what it is today. The control of Europe without invasion, or cant you see that with those rose tinted glasses?

LOL. Do you think being on a Thai related forum for people that are not Thai makes a difference to my opinion?

I'm not embarrassed about the UK, just sad it's been so badly run since WW2. It could have still been GREAT.

23 hours ago, Grouse said:

Xi obviously views the UK as a third world underdeveloped country. He will build a bit of infrastructure and import Marmite while taking our natural resources at a knock down price such as ... er ....well ...coal?

Why would Xi want UK coal? He can get all he wants from Australia which is now desperate to sell dirt as 50,000 workers will shortly be fronting up for the dole.

On ‎2‎/‎2‎/‎2018 at 7:51 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Soooo, what would they be then, Watney's red barrel and kippers perhaps?

 

 

To get even that piffling amount, she had to sell out on China's "road" plan to take over the world.

Bah humbug.

 

PS. IMO expect an announcement sometime soon that all the treasures Britain looted from China in the Victorian era will be returned.

I think we have to keep everything in proportion.  China is an overwhelmingly important market and Britain, like the rest of the western world, needs a good trading relationship with them.  May came away with 9 billion pounds worth of deals, even though apparently much of it was agreed before she actually went there. Nothing unusual with that and Cameron and Blair both did the same on their visits.  However let's not lose sight of the bigger picture.  Germany does far more trade with China than Britain has agreed (from within the EU) and the EU is China's  second biggest trading partner after the USA.

 

So good that China considers Britain credible as a trading partner.  The Chinese do enjoy their scotch and buy a lot of it.  

 

As for the PS.  The British looting treasures from China certainly existed and even way before the Victorian era.  Many of the important pieces have been returned and the Chinese are by far the biggest buyers these days in the British major auction houses buying their valuable antiques back.  It is a complete U-turn from how it was even ten years ago when European and American dealers  were there in numbers and everything was for sale.  However the Chinese are far more canny and having sold the world all their "Antiques" (which was mainly stuff from the fifties onwards) they are only buying back the real antiques and antiquities.

 

 

7 hours ago, Retiredandhappyhere said:

Are you happy to be a member, though, of the EU which is practically run by  a certain Government which also hated Britain in the past?  Or are you happy to forget all about that?

Wrong! Hitler always wanted to be accepted by the British. Ever considered why Dunkirk happened?

 

Anyway, totally off topic

8 hours ago, Retiredandhappyhere said:

Are you happy to be a member, though, of the EU which is practically run by  a certain Government which also hated Britain in the past?  Or are you happy to forget all about that?

You are really living in the past. I guess you must be very very old to remember old enemies. Times have changed. I love being a member of the EU being part of a great dream. And being able to live and work anywhere I like. 

On 2/2/2018 at 2:51 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

Soooo, what would they be then, Watney's red barrel and kippers perhaps?

 

 

To get even that piffling amount, she had to sell out on China's "road" plan to take over the world.

Bah humbug.

 

PS. IMO expect an announcement sometime soon that all the treasures Britain looted from China in the Victorian era will be returned.

British food.????