UK marks 35 anniversary of ambassadorial relations with China

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) held a reception on Thursday to celebrate the 35th anniversary of ambassadorial relations between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China.

British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, former Hong Kong Governor Lord Wilson, former UK ambassadors to China, British officials, businessmen and Pan Hejun, China's charge d'affaires ad interim to the UK were invited to the reception.

In his toast, Sir Peter Richetts, Permanent Under Secretary for the FCO, hailed the development of the UK-China ties "never so cooperative and positive."

The two countries will seize the opportunities to boost the bilateral relations by closer cooperation on Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and London 2012 Olympic Games, he said.

The United Kingdom and China forged the diplomatic ties at the level of charge d'affaire on June 17, 1954, and the relationship was upgraded to ambassadorial diplomatic ties on March 13, 1972.

Source: Xinhua