Premier Li Keqiang and visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May met with members of the UK-China CEO council on Jan 31 in Beijing.

Premier Li said that bilateral economic cooperation is riding on a “fast lane” as two-way investments continue to grow and trade is developing in a healthy and balanced way. With the recovery of the world economy and China’s economic restructuring, the founding of the UK-China CEO council is beneficial for the expansion of bilateral economic cooperation.

He said the two sides should be open-minded and inclusive on cooperation, create a balance between freedom and equality in trade, and promote win-win cooperation.

As the reform and opening-up moves ahead, China will continue to optimize the market access and permitting procedures for foreign companies and hope that UK will make the investment review for Chinese enterprises more transparent and fair, the Premier said.

He welcomed entrepreneurs from the two countries to offer suggestions for Sino-UK cooperation, adding that the governments of both sides are willing to listen to entrepreneurs’ voices and take effective measures to solve any problems.

May said UK will remain open after leaving the European Union and foresees a more comprehensive economic relationship with China, creating a new cooperation vision.

She hoped the two sides will work together to build a “global UK” and a “global China”.

Leaders from more than 30 enterprises attended the opening ceremony, covering industries involving finance, energy, telecommunications, automobiles, medicine and transportation. They exchanged ideas on various issues such as Sino-UK economic cooperation, investment, market access, innovation cooperation, intellectual property protection and trilateral cooperation.