This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7194864.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
China trade to boom, says Brown China open to UK business - Brown
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has predicted that "tens of thousands" of British jobs will be created by boosting trade with China. Gordon Brown has told the BBC there is a "huge opportunity" for British businesses in China, on his first visit to the country as prime minister.
He was speaking shortly after he arrived in China for his first visit since becoming UK prime minister. He said trade was not "one way" - while Britain would import more goods, it would export its financial services.
Mr Brown and the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao agreed to increase trade between the two countries by 50% by 2010. He and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao have agreed to boost trade by 50% by 2010 and he predicted "tens of thousands" of British jobs would be created.
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. Opposition leaders have urged the PM to raise the issue of human rights.
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 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.
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. 'Biggest market'
He said the relationship between Britain and China was "absolutely crucial" to the success of the global economy as a whole. Mr Brown also said he wanted Britain to be the "number one destination" for Chinese businesses to invest - and hoped 100 new Chinese companies would 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7195309.stm">China's green plans on show class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7196242.stm">Student views on Brown visit class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7196086.stm">Analysis: China human rights Later he told the BBC: "It's not one way, there are imports into Britain but we are selling China banking, services, financial services, luxury goods, environmental technology, sports goods - a whole range of things."
"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. China must both address its own human rights record and uphold the values of the United Nations Nick CleggLib Dem leader class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7195309.stm">China's green plans on show class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7196242.stm">Student views on Brown visit class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7196086.stm">Analysis: China human rights
"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." "Yes, we will see more low-cost manufacturing done outside Britain, but yes also we have got the skills, the ingenuity, the high-value added goods and products that we can now sell to what is the biggest consumer market in 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." He said China "has got to take a step forward" on climate change and said he had discussed the matter in talks with the Chinese premier.
'New vitality' "He takes seriously the problem of climate change, he's not denying it's a problem, he knows action has got to be taken and now the debate is how much China can do, and how much other countries have got to do as well."
The prime minister's take-off from the UK was delayed on Thursday when a plane crash-landed at London's Heathrow. Business leaders
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 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"
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.
The Chinese government has said the PM's trip is intended to bring a "new vitality" to relations.
Human rights
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 Dems
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.
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.
HAVE YOUR SAYWe have no right to dictate how the Chinese run their country Stephen Ash, CardiffSend us your commentsHAVE 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." The Chinese government has said the PM's trip is intended to bring a "new vitality" to relations.
And Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg said: "China must both address its own human rights record and uphold the values of the United Nations. But Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Mr Brown should not "shy away" from raising the issue of human rights - particularly those in Darfur - with China, which has strong political and economic ties with Sudan.
"China must both address its own human rights record and uphold the values of the United Nations," he said.
"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. Olympics preparations
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".
Darfur did feature in talks with Premier Wen 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.
WATCH TONIGHT AT TEN Huw Edwards is presenting the news live from Beijing tonightTen O'Clock News, Friday 18 January, BBC One, 2200 GMTOr watch it here from 2200 GMT
During the three-day trip Mr Brown will also discuss preparations for this summer's Beijing Olympics.
He is also likely to see plans for an "eco-city" in Shanghai - 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 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.