China offers huge opportunities, says UK minister

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said China offers the UK "huge opportunities", as its Prime Minister Wen Jiabao starts a three-day visit.

Mr Wen has been to Stratford-upon-Avon for a Shakespeare performance and will visit the MG car plant at Longbridge, in Birmingham, one of his country's most high-profile British investments.

Mr Hunt said it was important to have a full dialogue with China.

Business deals are expected to be announced during his three-day UK tour.

Mr Hunt, who accompanied the life-long Shakespeare admirer Mr Wen to Stratford-Upon-Avon said: "We want to have a broad-based relationship with China which encompasses political, economic and social dialogue.

"It's obviously an incredibly important economic power and a massive investor in the UK.

"But what this visit is about is saying that it's not just about jobs, it's also about a broader cultural relationship which is the best possible way to make sure we understand each other and avoid the kind of misunderstanding that so can bedevil relationships, as has happened in the past."
Deals

While at Longbridge, Mr Wen will attend the launch of the MG6 Magnette, which is designed in Britain but assembled from parts manufactured in China.

The Longbridge plant used to make MG Rover cars but is now owned by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

With China having overtaken Japan as the world's second largest economy, many European companies are looking for investment, while Chinese acquisitions in Europe have also been increasing.

Mr Wen is thought to be leading a Chinese bid for work on the HS2 high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham.

Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming said last week China was looking for "flagship projects" and had "the knowledge, expertise and experience" to assist with HS2.

On Monday, Mr Wen will attend the annual UK-China Strategic Summit and meet his British counterpart, David Cameron.

That meeting will also involve David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary William Hague and the Chancellor George Osborne.

Mr Wen will also hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and business leaders, before leaving for Germany on Monday.
Euro support

Mr Wen flew into Birmingham airport on Saturday night, and was met by Trade Minister Stephen Green and Britain's ambassador to Beijing Sebastian Wood, the Foreign Office said.

He had come from Hungary, where he was asked about the debt crisis in Europe, and especially the situation in Greece.

"China will consistently support Europe and the euro," Mr Wen said.

He said he was confident the eurozone could overcome its problems.

"Europe's debt crisis is expanding. Trust is more important than currency and gold and now, during the debt crisis, we again bring trust to Europe.

"I have total trust in Europe's economic development," he added.

China has foreign reserves of about $3tn and is believed to be diversifying some of its holdings from US dollars into euros and other currencies.
Human rights

While economic, commercial and political ties are the focus of the visit, Britain remains concerned about China's human rights record and the issue is expected to be raised in talks, says the BBC's Adam Mynott.

Last week dissident artist Ai Weiwei was released from custody in China, heading off protests which might have greeted Mr Wen's visit to Britain.

On Saturday news broke that another prominent Chinese dissident, Hu Jia, had been released from prison and reunited with his family.

He had campaigned for the environment and in support of patients with Aids.

But the Free Tibet pressure group has promised to hold demonstrations outside Downing Street when Mr Wen goes to meet Mr Cameron.