British Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State John Prescott arrived in Beijing Tuesday evening for a five-day official visit to China.

During his stay in Beijing, China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Vice Premier Huang Ju will meet and hold talks with him, and Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will discuss with him on establishing a taskforce on bilateral relations, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

They will explore ways for cooperation in major fields set by the two countries during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Britain in May, said ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue.

During Premier Wen's visit, the two countries issued a joint statement, deciding to forge an all-round strategic partnership and set up an annual meeting mechanism between leaders of the two countries.

The two countries would also enhance cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, finance, energy, technology, education, culture and environmental protection.

This is Prescott's seventh visit to China. Besides Beijing, he will also visit Shenyang and Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province, and Hong Kong.