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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brown calls for China trade boost | Brown calls for China trade boost |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for greater collaboration on trade between the UK and China. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for greater collaboration on trade between the UK and China. |
| Speaking after Downing Street talks with Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, Mr Brown said there were opportunities "even amidst" the economic downturn. | Speaking after Downing Street talks with Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, Mr Brown said there were opportunities "even amidst" the economic downturn. |
| Mr Wen said confidence was the "most important thing" for improving the global outlook. | Mr Wen said confidence was the "most important thing" for improving the global outlook. |
| The first two days of Mr Wen's three-day UK visit were met by protests over human rights abuses in China and Tibet. | The first two days of Mr Wen's three-day UK visit were met by protests over human rights abuses in China and Tibet. |
| 'End pessimism' | 'End pessimism' |
| After the Downing Street talks, Mr Brown and Mr Wen addressed the Institute of Directors in London. | After the Downing Street talks, Mr Brown and Mr Wen addressed the Institute of Directors in London. |
| Mr Wen said: "Confidence is very important. With confidence business people are able to invest. | Mr Wen said: "Confidence is very important. With confidence business people are able to invest. |
| "With confidence, people are able to spend and with confidence we have the source of strength and power to tide us over the difficulties and meet the challenges that we are faced with. | "With confidence, people are able to spend and with confidence we have the source of strength and power to tide us over the difficulties and meet the challenges that we are faced with. |
| "Pessimism and complaints will get us nowhere." | "Pessimism and complaints will get us nowhere." |
| We know from previous downturns that a retreat to narrow, short-term protectionist policies would only serve to deepen the global recession Gordon Brown | |
| Mr Brown said the 4 trillion yuan (£400bn) fiscal stimulus announced by the Beijing authorities in November would help British exports to China, particularly in low-carbon technologies. | |
| He added: "I look forward to seeing further progress, with new contracts being signed and new opportunities emerging for our businesses, especially in key sectors where greater collaboration can increase two-way trade." | He added: "I look forward to seeing further progress, with new contracts being signed and new opportunities emerging for our businesses, especially in key sectors where greater collaboration can increase two-way trade." |
| Mr Brown said: "I believe that there is much scope for trade and investment to expand between our two countries even in these most difficult of times for the global economy. | |
| "The strength of the relationship between China and Britain will be a pivotal force in helping us through the downturn and a powerful driving force behind our future growth and prosperity. | |
| "We know from previous downturns that a retreat to narrow, short-term protectionist policies would only serve to deepen the global recession and we must not and will not allow that to happen again." | |
| Five people were arrested on Sunday after trying to approach Mr Wen, who was booed as he travelled around London. | Five people were arrested on Sunday after trying to approach Mr Wen, who was booed as he travelled around London. |
| However, he was also greeted by supporters as he toured Chinatown and attended a dinner at the Natural History Museum. | However, he was also greeted by supporters as he toured Chinatown and attended a dinner at the Natural History Museum. |
| Mr Wen also met Conservative leader David Cameron for 45 minutes on Sunday to talk about topics including the economic crisis and fighting climate change. | Mr Wen also met Conservative leader David Cameron for 45 minutes on Sunday to talk about topics including the economic crisis and fighting climate change. |
| Mr Cameron raised human rights issues with the Chinese leader and emphasised the importance of "greater participation" in Beijing's political process. | Mr Cameron raised human rights issues with the Chinese leader and emphasised the importance of "greater participation" in Beijing's political process. |
| Mr Wen's European tour includes visits to Germany, Spain, and Brussels. | Mr Wen's European tour includes visits to Germany, Spain, and Brussels. |