Wang Xingang

Editor's Note:

Both UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Chinese President Xi Jinping have spoken of a new "golden time" in Sino-British ties in anticipation of Xi's ongoing visit to the UK. What impact will it have on the ground? How do local Chinese see the visit? Global Times (GT) London Correspondent Sun Wei interviewed Wang Xingang (Wang), a parish councilor for Claygate in North Surrey. The 35-year-old was born and raised in China's Heilongjiang Province and came to England after his university degree in 2001. Wang was selected as the Conservative candidate for the heavily Labour-supporting Manchester Central in May's General Election.

GT: Both some Chinese and Britain officials say that Xi's UK trip will start a "golden time" in the bilateral relationship. What do you think?

Wang: The bilateral ties are going to be even better. Britain needs strong partners to realize its long-term economic plan. China is the best choice. Britain achieved the fastest economic growth in the developed world last year. China, on the other hand, has been developing at the fastest pace for the last 20 years. Although the speed has slowed down a bit, China is still the world's economic engine. The economic relationship is going to be a mutually beneficial one.

GT: What outcomes are you anticipating Xi's visit will bring? In what way the visit will boost the relationship?

Wang: Xi's visit is going to be a major milestone for the bilateral relationship in the coming years. Both countries realize that Britain can be China's best partner in the West. Of course, there will be ups and downs on the road ahead, but we can create a golden decade if we stick together. From the royal visit in March to the Chancellor's recent visit to Beijing, and now Xi's visit, there will be more and more closer relationships. More projects will be announced during the visit. The visit is sure to further strengthen the two countries' relationship.

GT: Chinese companies have increasingly invested in the UK. What kind of influence do they have?

Wang: I can see influence in day-to-day life. For example, the taxi company of the London black cab was acquired by Chinese carmaker Geely. Whenever I took a taxi, I am using a Chinese service. Also, some major mobile operators like O2 have been bought by Chinese companies. And some Chinese mobile phones like Xiaomi and Huawei are widely used in the UK. Chinese technologies are becoming world class, and so are Chinese investments. I can see very close collaboration between the two countries. The market has opened. Chinese companies and investments should come here in the UK to join the open market. 

GT: Since the Conservative Party won election in May, how do you see the progress that has been made in Sino-British government communications?

Wang: The Conservative Party won the general election, which was one of the most unpredictable elections in Britain's modern political history. The party has to deliver what it promised in the election manifesto, which is continuing on the road to a stronger economy. One of the key parts of the long-term economic plan is to have a strong northern powerhouse.

Chancellor George Osborne led a delegation visiting China in September, and brought investments including 24 billion pounds ($37.06 billion) of investment opportunities in the northern powerhouse. The government announced a 2 billion pounds infrastructure guarantee for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. Also, the Xinjiang-based Hualin Industry & Trade Group announced its plans to invest in major property projects worth 1.2 billion pounds in Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield. In order to encourage more children to learn Putonghua, the government has committed 10 million pounds to recruit and train more teachers in state schools across the UK.

Another 6 million pounds in government grants have been given to support some of Britain's museums, galleries and theater companies to raise their profile globally including China. These are the major steps committed and performed by the new government to improve the economy.

The Conservative Party also has an organization called "Conservative Friends of the Chinese" to link with Chinese communities. They have organized many events to bring the minister members to speak to Chinese communities in the UK face to face. The ministers are able to see their supporters in the Chinese community, and Chinese communities representatives can express their concerns directly to the ministers. The Conservative Party has more support from Chinese than from other ethnic minorities.

The Conservative friends of the Chinese has done a good job in linking the government and the local communities. During the general election, there were five ethnic Chinese minority candidates, and we elected the first Chinese origin MP in the House of Commons this year. And we also have the only current Chinese member in the House of Lords. Chinese communities strongly supported the Conservative Party during all the campaign events. The Conservative Friends of the Chinese has made very impressive progress in increasing the awareness of Conservative policies among Chinese communities.

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