国际英语资讯:Britain formally leaves EU, ending 47-year-long membership

LONDON, Jan. 31 -- Britain officially left the European Union (EU) at 11 p.m. (2300 GMT) Friday, marking a historic end of its 47-year-long membership of the world's largest trading bloc.

It also marks the start of a transition period that will last till the end of this year as negotiators try to forge a trade arrangement between Britain and the EU.