Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng addresses the opening ceremony of the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, June 29, 2023. (ZHAI JIANLAN / XINHUA)

BEIJING — Over the past seven decades, China-UK cooperation has brought both sides tremendous development opportunities, and such cooperation is mutually beneficial, Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng said on Thursday.

Han made the remarks while attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade, where he read out a congratulatory letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the event.

Han expressed the hope that people of vision from all walks of life in China and Britain will carry on the icebreaking spirit

President Xi specially sending a congratulatory letter demonstrates the high importance he attaches to the event, Han said.

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He said that 70 years ago, British entrepreneurs represented by Jack Perry broke the ice of trade of the West toward China, and opened the door for China-UK cooperation.

Over the years, the 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council have contributed outstandingly to carrying forward China-UK friendship and promoting economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, he said.

Han expressed the hope that people of vision from all walks of life in China and Britain will carry on the icebreaking spirit, and promote China-UK friendly cooperation to score new success, especially in economic and trade areas.

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About 100 representatives from the Chinese and British business communities attended the event.