Li's Britain journey 'to help build trust'

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Deals worth more than $30 billion are likely to be signed during Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Britain this week, highlighting growing ties between the two nations.

"More than 40 agreements are expected between the governments and businesses covering a wide variety of sectors including energy, investment, cultural and educational cooperation," said Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK.

Two hundred-plus Chinese business leaders will join the delegation.

Infrastructure, high-speed rail, nuclear and finance deals, as well as London's role as an offshore yuan trading hub, will be key topics during the visit.

Li, who leaves Beijing on Monday, will meet Queen Elizabeth II and have five hours of talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Li and his wife will also meet on a personal level with Cameron and his wife.

Li will witness the signing of agreements and attend the China-UK Global Economic Round-Table.

"I believe all these arrangements will help build trust and consolidate close working and personal relations at the highest level," Liu said.

Li will give a speech to top British think tanks and address a business gala and the China-UK Financial Forum.

Britain is China's second-largest trading partner in the European Union and a major destination for China's overseas investment.

Two-way trade hit $70 billion last year. Chinese investment in the UK has made huge progress. In the past two years, Chinese companies invested over $13 billion in the UK, outdoing their total UK investment of the previous three decades.

Questions:

1. How many agreements are expected to be signed during Premier Li’s visit to Britain?

2. How many Chinese business leaders are joining the delegation?

3. Who is China’s second-largest trading partner in the European Union?

Answers:

1. More than 40.

2. Two hundred-plus.

3. China.

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.