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China trade to boom says Brown China trade to boom, says Brown
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has predicted that "tens of thousands" of British jobs will be created by boosting trade with China.Gordon Brown has predicted that "tens of thousands" of British jobs will be created by boosting trade with China.
He was speaking shortly after he arrived in China for his first visit since becoming prime minister. He was speaking shortly after he arrived in China for his first visit since becoming UK prime minister.
Mr Brown and the Chinese premier Wen Jiabo agreed to increase trade between the UK and China by 50% by 2010. Mr Brown and the Chinese premier Wen Jiabo agreed to increase trade between the two countries by 50% by 2010.
Mr Brown said the relationship between the two countries was "absolutely crucial" to the success of the global economy as a whole.Mr Brown said the relationship between the two countries was "absolutely crucial" to the success of the global economy as a whole.
Joint targetJoint target
Speaking to reporters after talks in Beijing the two leaders confirmed that they had agreed a joint target of increasing two-way trade to $60bn (£30bn) over the next two years.Speaking to reporters after talks in Beijing the two leaders confirmed that they had agreed a joint target of increasing two-way trade to $60bn (£30bn) over the next two years.
Mr Brown also said he wanted 100 new Chinese companies to invest in the UK by 2010.Mr Brown also said he wanted 100 new Chinese companies to invest in the UK by 2010.
Gordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of China's record on human rights Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK China's green plans on showGordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of China's record on human rights Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK China's green plans on show
He said: "I believe that tens of thousands of jobs in Britain for British workers can be created by the closer cooperation between our two countries.He said: "I believe that tens of thousands of jobs in Britain for British workers can be created by the closer cooperation between our two countries.
"It's true we are able to sell to China not just financial and business services and environmental technologies, but also a whole range of British brands that are now becoming very popular among the rising number of Chinese consumers.""It's true we are able to sell to China not just financial and business services and environmental technologies, but also a whole range of British brands that are now becoming very popular among the rising number of Chinese consumers."
He added: "We said we want Britain to be the number one destination of choice for Chinese business as it invests in the rest of the world."He added: "We said we want Britain to be the number one destination of choice for Chinese business as it invests in the rest of the world."
The prime minister's take-off from the UK was delayed on Thursday when a plane crash-landed at London's Heathrow.The prime minister's take-off from the UK was delayed on Thursday when a plane crash-landed at London's Heathrow.
During the three-day trip, which also includes a visit to India, Mr Brown will also discuss preparations for this summer's Beijing Olympics.During the three-day trip, which also includes a visit to India, Mr Brown will also discuss preparations for this summer's Beijing Olympics.
The Chinese government has said the PM's trip is intended to bring a "new vitality" to relations.The Chinese government has said the PM's trip is intended to bring a "new vitality" to relations.
Trade talksTrade talks
Mr Brown is being accompanied on the trip by more than 20 leading British and European business figures including Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and CBI Director General Richard Lambert.Mr Brown is being accompanied on the trip by more than 20 leading British and European business figures including Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and CBI Director General Richard Lambert.
Gordon and Sarah Brown were delayed at Heathrow by a plane crashGordon and Sarah Brown were delayed at Heathrow by a plane crash
Trade between China and the UK was worth an estimated $40bn (£20.2bn) last year.Trade between China and the UK was worth an estimated $40bn (£20.2bn) last year.
British officials said the UK economy, with its strength in the service sector, was well placed to complement China's dynamic manufacturing boom.British officials said the UK economy, with its strength in the service sector, was well placed to complement China's dynamic manufacturing boom.
Other senior businessmen travelling with the prime minister include Shell chairman Jorma Ollila and Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin.Other senior businessmen travelling with the prime minister include Shell chairman Jorma Ollila and Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin.
Human rightsHuman rights
Human rights activists called on Mr Brown not to shy away from discussing difficult issues with the Chinese government.Human rights activists called on Mr Brown not to shy away from discussing difficult issues with the Chinese government.
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: "As the Beijing Olympics approaches, China will be increasingly sensitive to its reputation in other countries.Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: "As the Beijing Olympics approaches, China will be increasingly sensitive to its reputation in other countries.
"Gordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of its record on human rights."Gordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of its record on human rights.
"Basic values like justice and free speech are held dear by the British people and our prime minister must reflect their importance.""Basic values like justice and free speech are held dear by the British people and our prime minister must reflect their importance."
In their talks on the first day of Mr Brown's three-day visit to China, the two leaders also discussed the environment and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.In their talks on the first day of Mr Brown's three-day visit to China, the two leaders also discussed the environment and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
They called for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace settlement.They called for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace settlement.
After the meeting Mr Brown also called for 100 new educational partnerships between China and the UK.After the meeting Mr Brown also called for 100 new educational partnerships between China and the UK.
OlympicsOlympics
On the first leg of his visit over the next two days in Beijing Mr Brown will also want to hear first hand of the city's preparations for this year's Olympics, with London due to host the next games in 2012.On the first leg of his visit over the next two days in Beijing Mr Brown will also want to hear first hand of the city's preparations for this year's Olympics, with London due to host the next games in 2012.
The premier will later visit Shanghai where he is expected to view plans for a developing an "eco-city" - having promised similar projects for the UK.The premier will later visit Shanghai where he is expected to view plans for a developing an "eco-city" - having promised similar projects for the UK.
China is both one of the world's leading polluters and one of the most acute potential sufferers of the effects of global warming.China is both one of the world's leading polluters and one of the most acute potential sufferers of the effects of global warming.
Mr Brown's five-day visit will also take him later this week to India where he will announce plans to train 750,000 English teachers there over the next five years.Mr Brown's five-day visit will also take him later this week to India where he will announce plans to train 750,000 English teachers there over the next five years.