On the evening of November 30, the Chinese Embassy and the 48 Group Club jointly hosted the annual Icebreakers Reception and Award Ceremony. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming, Mr. Jeremy Browne, the British Foreign Office Minister of State and Mr. Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, attended and addressed the reception. Also present were over 170 representatives from the British and Chinese governments, business communities, academia, media and other sectors.

(Ambassador Liu Xiaoming delivers a speech)

In his speech , Ambassador Liu Xiaoming highly commended the long-standing commitment of the 48 Group Club to promoting China-UK friendship and cooperation. He said that today, China has come a long way, and the world is undergoing profound changes. So are China-UK relations. Looking back, we cherish deeply the icebreakers' vision, courage and pioneering spirit. Our relations are now at a crucial, new starting point. We need the vision of the "icebreakers". We need to have strategic and long-term vision and deepen exchanges and cooperation in all areas, particularly those among the young people. We need the courage of the "icebreakers". We should face differences squarely and enhance mutual understanding and seek common ground through dialogues based on equality and mutual respect. We need the pioneering spirit of the "icebreakers". We must work even harder to unleash the potential in our cooperation and convert our respective strengths into visible progress in our cooperation in energy, environmental protection and high-end manufacturing, with a view to raising China-UK trade to a new level.

(FCO Minister of State Jeremy Browne delivers a speech)

Mr. Browne expressed appreciation to the 48 Group Club in his speech for its efforts in promoting the development of UK-China relations. He said that China has made amazing achievements. The UK and China share broad common interests and China takes an important position in British foreign policy. During the recent successful visit of Prime Minister Cameron to China accompanied by a large delegation, the leaders of both sides extensively exchanged views on strengthening the bilateral cooperation and reached important consensus. The British side will be actively committed to a "partnership for growth" between the two countries.

(Chairman Perry delivers a speech)

Perry recalled how his father, Jack Perry, started his association with the new China and founded the 48 Group Club and expressed the Club's readiness to continue its efforts for the development of China-UK relations.

At the reception, Ambassador Liu presented award to the winners of "Fellowship Award" and "Honorary Membership" of the 48 Group Club. He congratulated them and encouraged them to make continuous contribution to the development of China-UK relations.

Ambassador Liu also gave interviews to the Xinhua News Agency and Phoenix TV.

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(Ambassador Liu presents awards to "Icebreaker Award" winners)

The 48 Group Club originated from the 48 Group of British Traders with China, which was founded in 1954 and composed of a group of British business people committed to breaking the Western trade blockade against China, known as "icebreakers". It is aimed at promoting "equal and mutual benefit" in trade between China and Britain.

(Ambassador Liu gives an interview to the press)