The benefits the UK gets from current bilateral economic and trade cooperation is small compared with what it is likely to get from its long-term cooperation with China. The reform measures that the Chinese authorities announced at the Third Plenary Session of the Communist Party of China's 18th Central Committee will undoubtedly boost the economic development of EU member states, including the UK, in the future.

The UK has an edge in the green economy, sustainable development, and the financial and service sectors, but its development prospects will, to a large extent, depend on whether it can benefit from China's still fast-paced economic growth.

The UK government had done a lot of groundwork to derive the maximum benefits from Cameron's visit. Cameron held a high-profile meeting with Chinese investors at No 10 Downing Street and his government held high the "trade liberalization" banner during the settlement of Sino-EU disputes on photovoltaic products, which were followed up by some British officials visiting China.

At his meeting with Cameron, Premier Li Keqiang said he hoped cooperation between the two countries would move like a high-speed train. But this hope will only be realized through deeper cooperation built on solid foundations and guided by adept diplomacy.

China and the UK need to reach a comprehensive agreement that only cooperation can achieve mutually beneficial results. The close exchanges between the two countries in political, social and cultural fields will form the basis of future cooperation. The fact that China and the UK complement each other in industrial, trade and investment structures offers room to them to expand their cooperation.

China and the UK have rich experience in strengthening bilateral relations. The challenge for the UK government, however, is to wisely use the experience to guide its cooperation with China.

The author is a senior fellow at and director of European Studies, China Institute of International Studies.

(China Daily 12/10/2013 page8)