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China trade to boom, says Brown China trade to boom, says Brown
(about 3 hours 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 UK 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 Jiabao agreed to increase trade between the two countries by 50% by 2010.Mr Brown and the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao agreed to increase trade between the two countries by 50% by 2010.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Mr Brown should raise the issue of human rights in Darfur with China, which has strong political and economic ties with Sudan.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Mr Brown should raise the issue of human rights in Darfur with China, which has strong political and economic ties with Sudan.
Conservative leader David Cameron, who visited China in December, has also urged the country's leaders to use their influence in Sudan to "help stop the slaughter in Darfur".Conservative leader David Cameron, who visited China in December, has also urged the country's leaders to use their influence in Sudan to "help stop the slaughter in Darfur".
Joint targetJoint target
Darfur did feature in talks with Mr Jiabao on the first day of Mr Brown's visit, with the two leaders calling for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace settlement, but the main focus was economic matters.Darfur did feature in talks with Mr Jiabao on the first day of Mr Brown's visit, with the two leaders calling for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace settlement, but the main focus was economic matters.
Speaking to reporters after talks in Beijing, the two leaders confirmed 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 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.
He said the relationship between Britain and China was "absolutely crucial" to the success of the global economy as a whole.He said the relationship between Britain and China was "absolutely crucial" to the success of the global economy as a whole.
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 show 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 show class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7196242.stm">Student views on Brown visit
"I believe that tens of thousands of jobs in Britain for British workers can be created by the closer co-operation between our two countries."I believe that tens of thousands of jobs in Britain for British workers can be created by the closer co-operation 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."
'New vitality''New vitality'
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.
He 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.He 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 likely to see China's plans for an "eco city"Mr Brown is likely to see China's plans for an "eco city"
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.
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.
Human rightsHuman rights
During the three-day trip Mr Brown will also discuss preparations for this summer's Beijing Olympics.During the three-day trip Mr Brown will also discuss preparations for this summer's Beijing Olympics.
It can no longer turn a blind eye to the grave human rights abuses continuing in countries like Sudan Nick CleggLib DemsIt can no longer turn a blind eye to the grave human rights abuses continuing in countries like Sudan Nick CleggLib Dems
He is also likely to see plans for an "eco-city" in Shanghai - the PM has promised similar projects for the UK.He is also likely to see plans for an "eco-city" in Shanghai - the PM has 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.
But human rights activists called on Mr Brown not to shy away from discussing difficult issues with the Chinese government.But 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: "Gordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of its record on human rights.Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: "Gordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of its record on human rights.
HAVE YOUR SAYWe have no right to dictate how the Chinese run their country Stephen Ash, CardiffSend us your comments
"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."
And Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg said: "China must both address its own human rights record and uphold the values of the United Nations.And Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg said: "China must both address its own human rights record and uphold the values of the United Nations.
"It can no longer turn a blind eye to the grave human rights abuses continuing in countries like Sudan," he said."It can no longer turn a blind eye to the grave human rights abuses continuing in countries like Sudan," he said.
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.