Gu Xiulian, president of the All-China Women's Federation, said
in London on Sunday that the relations between China and Britain
are the best ever.
Gu, also vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's
National People's Congress, made the remarks on the eve of the
China-UK Women's Cultural Festival to be launched on Monday.
In recent years, she said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua,
the Sino-British comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained
a momentum of healthy development, with increasing political
dialogues, steady economic cooperation and active cultural
exchanges.
According to Gu, stronger times between the two countries are
not only in the best interests of the two peoples, but also
conducive to lasting peace and global harmony.
She regarded "China Now," the six-month celebration of the
Chinese culture across Britain in the run-up to the Beijing
Olympics in August an "exciting and valuable" event. The president
believed that the UK-initiated celebrations, widely deemed as the
biggest of its kind in British history, will enhance people's
understanding about China, laying a firmer foundation for more
unofficial exchanges in every field.
Exchanges between women in the two countries, according to Gu,
has been very active and effective. To further their understanding
and friendship, she said, "We would live to take advantage of China
Now to launch the China-UK Women's Cultural Festival, showcasing
the achievements of Chinese women since the country's opening up
and reform at the end of 1970s."
The upcoming festival is the result of exchanges and cooperation
between women in both China and Britain over the years. Gu hopes
the festival will serve as a new starting point for cultural and
unofficial exchanges between the two sides, setting up a platform
for more pragmatic cooperation in the future.
(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2008)