Global political and security issues will be added to the agenda for the discussion between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chinese leaders, the prime minister said before heading for China for the EU-China summit next week.

In a written interview with China's major media based in London, Blair said the summit will also include an enhanced dialogue on human rights, trade issues, science and technology, and social affairs.

The decision to add global political and security issues to the agenda of the summit was made in the wake of two rounds of terrorist bombings in London, which killed 56 people and wounded more than 700 others.

During his forthcoming China visit, Blair will attend the EU-China summit before meeting with Chinese leaders, on behalf of both Britain and the European Union (EU). Britain has assumed the EU rotating presidency for the second half of this year.

"The 8th EU-China Summit will contribute to the strengthening of the strategic partnership agreed in 2004, which will continue to grow as the 21st century progresses," he said.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of EU-China diplomatic relations.

"Both China and the EU have a shared interest in a deeper and broader partnership on the range of global challenges that face our peoples. We are now building upon three decades of successful cooperation," Blair said.

During the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in July, Blair invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to join the discussions of the world's richest nations on climate change along with other emerging economies.

The topic of climate change will also be discussed in the EU-China Summit next week, alongside cooperation in trade and migration issues.

"Our partnership should be about greater understanding and trust between the EU and China," he said, adding the EU-China Business Summit will be a "valuable opportunity" to boost commercial ties.

Analysts in Britain believe the business summit will not be complete without discussions on trade disputes between the EU and China, given the current standoff on China's textile exports.

Meanwhile, China is also seriously concerned with the EU's recognition of its market economy status.

Blair suggested that China provide information that will allow the European Commission to reach a positive decision on these issues.

He expressed the hope that by promoting two-way trade and investment, making significant progress toward market economy status for China, and taking forward work on a new civil aviation agreement, EU-China ties could be improved.

The EU's arms embargo has been deemed by China as a political barrier to bilateral relations.

Blair said talks are undergoing among EU partners on the modernization of arms export controls. But he said no decision would be made before further consultations in the EU and with other international partners.

On Britain-China relations, Blair said, "China is a major priority for Britain. We've got to engage with China on a broad agenda -- because China's impact on our interests is large and growing."

"China's economic growth provides great opportunities for two-way trade and investment, and China has to be involved in international efforts to tackle global problems," he said.

Applauding the China Task Forces for offering innovative ideas for strengthened relations, he predicted that "ambitious and imaginative activities involving government, civil society and grass-roots organizations, as well as business people can take our relations to a new level."

Potential for the development of bilateral ties is large and the prospects are bright, Blair said.

He expected cooperation with China in poverty alleviation, health issues, and new clean technologies, which complement China's rapid economic growth and growing energy requirements.

Britain will build China's constructive participation in the Gleneagles G8 Summit with a further dialogue in London in this coming November, he said.

"We are particularly keen to see greater cooperation in particular in sectors where the UK has world-class expertise -- financial services; energy; information and communications technology; health care; and water," he added.

The establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in May 2004 has witnessed much cooperation between China and Britain on trade, tourism, immigration, peacekeeping, the environment, science and technology, human rights, rule of law, and education.

Last year, bilateral trade amounted to 13 billion British pounds (about 23.4 billion US dollars) and Britain becomes the largest EU investor in China. Chinese investment in Britain, meanwhile, is also growing rapidly.

"We are keen to encourage this," said Blair, who believes that the Britain-China Summit on Sept. 6 will take forward this partnership.

Source: Xinhua