LONDON — Vice-Premier Liu Yandong met with Philip Hammond, British foreign secretary on Sept 17, saying China hopes Britain can continue to make active contribution to further development of China-Europe relations.

The current development of China-Britain relationship is sound, both countries should treasure it more, and jointly push the bilateral relationship to gain greater achievements, the vice-premier said.

The current priority is to carefully prepare and make every effort to ensure the complete success of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain next month, said Liu.

She also hoped Britain can continue to make active contribution to the further development of China-Europe relations.

Hammond said this year is important in the history of the relationship between Britain and China. President Xi will soon pay a state visit to Britain, which will further enhance the strategic height of Britain-China relationship, and push the Britain-China comprehensive strategic partnership onto a new stage, Hammond added.

Liu arrived in Britain on Sept 16 to co-chair the third meeting of the China-Britain high-level cultural exchange mechanism with British Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.