Ambassador Liu talking with Prime Minister May

On February 21, the sixth day of the first month of the Chinese Lunar Year of the Dog, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and his wife Madame Hu Pinghua were invited to the Chinese New Year Reception hosted by Prime Minister May at Downing Street, London. This is the 6th consecutive year that the British Prime Minister held a reception for the Chinese New Year. Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt, British Secretary of State for Health, Richard Graham MP, Chairman of All Party Parliamentary China Group (APPCG), Lord Sassoon, Chairman of China-Britain Business Council, and more than 200 people from the British government, parliament, business and trade, culture and education sectors and representatives of Chinese institutions and overseas Chinese joined the event.

Prime Minister May delivering a speech

Prime Minister May delivered a warm speech. She said, "I have recently returned from an important trip to China. I had fruitful discussions with President Xi and Premier Li. And I was delighted to take a 50-strong business delegation with me, and I think the visit helped to secure more than £9 billon of commercial deals which will create 2,600 jobs in the UK. But the ties that bind our two countries are about more than just business. They're also about people, the 150,000 Chinese students currently studying in the UK, the growing number of young British people studying or working in China, the hundreds of thousands of tourists who travel between our countries each year, and of course the thriving Chinese community in the UK, who do so much to make the UK the country it is today. And, when I look around this room, when I see the passion, commitment and enthusiasm of so many people, I know for sure that the next 12 months will be another auspicious year for our businesses, for our governments, and above all for our peoples." She said, "For many years, many people have worked hard to bring the UK and China closer together. The result of their work is the golden Era we are living through today."

Quoting the words of Confucius, "Virtue is not left to stand alone – he who practises it will have neighbours", May commended the Chinese community on its contribution to British society and highlighted the efforts of James Wong from Birmingham as one shining example of "the face of modern Britain". In closing, May wished everyone a very happy and prosperous new year in Chinese, "Xin Nian Kuai Le".

Ambassador Liu and Wife talking with Mrs. Hunt, the wife of the British Secretary of State for Health

During the reception, Ambassador Liu and Prime Minister May had a friendly talk. Ambassador Liu conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Chinese leaders to her. May expressed her appreciation and asked Ambassador Liu to convey her New Year's greetings to the Chinese leaders.

On the night, No.10 Downing Street was brightly-lit and bathed in the festive joy. Guests at the lively and friendly reception were from all walks of life. They spoke highly of the progress in China-UK relations and looked forward to more "golden fruits" in the cooperation between China and Britain and more benefit for the peoples of the two countries.

Ambassador Liu talking with guests representing the Chinese community