TORONTO, Canada, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday in Toronto, Canada, to advance bilateral relations.
The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and regional and international issues of common concern and reached important consensus.
China views Britain as a partner for international cooperation and the two countries have established a fairly complete mechanism of exchanges, Hu said.
The two countries have maintained high-level contacts and achieved fruitful results in cooperation in various fields, he added.
Hu said the hard-earned situation of bilateral relations should be cherished by the two sides.
Given that the global financial crisis has not yet subsided and global problems have become increasingly prominent, China and Britain have broad common interests in propelling the full recovery of the world economy and coping with global challenges, he stressed.
The two countries should have a long-term perspective in handling bilateral relations so as to make bilateral cooperation better benefit the two peoples, he said.
Given differences in social systems, cultural tradition and development model, it is natural that the two countries differ on some issues, Hu said.
As long as the two sides strengthen dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and equality, accommodate each other's major concern and properly settle differences, China and Britain will be able to carry forward their comprehensive strategic partnership on a healthy and stable track, he added.
The two countries should continue to strengthen communication and coordination, accommodate each other's interests and address each other's major concerns to make the Group of 20 an effective platform for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, said Hu.
Cameron said Britain highly values its relations with China and hopes to further improve them. His country is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges, promote the economic partnership and enhance the strategic dialogue with China, he said.
Economic and trade links are the most important part of bilateral relations, he said.
Britain upholds free trade and is opposed to protectionism, he said.
Cameron also expressed the hope that the two countries will further tap into the potential and expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Educational exchanges are an important part of bilateral cooperation, Cameron said. He expressed the hope that progress could be made in advancing educational cooperation with joint efforts of the two sides.
Britain is ready to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China on regional and international issues of common concern, he said.
Cameron said he is looking forward to visiting China in the capacity of prime minister to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Britain shares similar views with China on global financial issues and is ready to reinforce cooperation with China within the G-20 framework, he added.
