Designed in China, eaten in the UK
Source: Agencies |
June 27, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE Premier Wen Jiabao pointed to Sino-British manufacturing co-operation yesterday as he launched the first new MG motor model in 15 years during the British leg of a visit to Europe.
Diplomats say China and Britain are expected to announce over 1 billion pounds' (US$1.6 billion) worth of deals in a range of industries during Wen's three-day visit.
Wen is meeting British Prime Minister David Cameron today for the latest in a series of bilateral summits focused largely on trade and business, though which will also likely encompass the eurozone debt crisis and human rights.
Wen toured the MG Motor factory in Longbridge, near Birmingham, where the new MG6 will be assembled.
"The successful cooperation of the production of the MG6 and other MG vehicles is a symbol of the friendship between China and the UK," Wen said.
"The model can be summed up as designed in the UK, manufactured in China and assembled in the UK, thereby making the most of China's capital and markets, as well as the UK's technology and managerial expertise."
China's leading auto maker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp became the owner of MG Rover's 10,000-unit Longbridge plant after a merger in late 2007 with its much smaller rival, Nanjing Automobile Group. Longbridge will also serve as a platform for tapping the European market in future.
Stephen Green, Britain's minister for trade and investment, said SAIC was a "pioneer for Chinese investors in the UK."
Last November, Cameron took Britain's largest delegation so far on a visit to China, with relations between the two countries expanding in areas that included trade, education, science and tourism.
Earlier yesterday, Wen visited Stratford-upon-Avon, near Birmingham, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, with the Chinese premier said to be a great admirer of the English dramatist.
While Wen saw extracts of "Hamlet" and examined a 17th-century folio of the Bard's famous plays, British Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt was enthusing about the visit's potential impact on the UK tourist industry.
"I am hoping that a billion Chinese might see some pictures on their TV of their premier coming and visiting the birthplace of Shakespeare, and thinking: 'Well, I'd like to go there as well,'" he said.
Wen stayed half an hour longer than expected, joked about Hamlet and even called Shakespeare "the greatest writer of all time," according to Diana Owen, director of the Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, who chatted with the 68-year-old Chinese premier during an informal tour.
Britain is the second leg of Wen's three-nation tour after Hungary. He will also visit Germany.
Wen stressed China's confidence in the euro and Europe overcoming the debt crisis on a visit to Hungary on Saturday.
He said China would not offload its substantial holdings of European assets but would remain a long-term investor in European sovereign debt.
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