British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said here Thursday that the United Kingdom will continue to strengthen and develop the strong partnership with Hong Kong.

"It is a strong partnership between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, and we will continue to work together to strengthen and develop that partnership,"the Foreign Secretary told a press conference held in the British Ambassador's residence in Beijing.

Beckett spoke positively of Hong Kong's performance since China resumed the exercise of sovereignty in 1997.

"I think we all feel Hong Kong has gone from strength to strength," she said.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. During Beckett's China trip, she will visit Hong Kong, expected to meet with the chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and deliver speeches.

Beckett arrived in the Chinese capital Wednesday morning, kicking off her first visit to China after taking office in May 2006. The trip will also take her to south China's Guangdong Province.

Source: Xinhua