Chinese FM calls for efforts to ensure success of Xi's visit to Britain

China and Britain should make concerted efforts to ensure Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Britain is successful, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Tuesday.

Xi will pay a state visit to Britain next month at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, Wang said during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.

During the visit, China and Britain will chart the course for the future development of bilateral ties and work out a long-term plan for the two sides' cooperation in various fields, he added.

He said China and Britain have recently exchanged frequent high-level visits and held a series of meetings and dialogues, paving the way for the Chinese president's visit.

Hammond said Britain is looking forward to Xi's visit and will speed up efforts to make good preparations.

He expressed the hope that the visit will boost the two countries' relationship as well as their cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, finance, investment, infrastructure, and international and regional affairs. Endi