In combating COVID-19, countries should stand by each other and work together in the spirit of a community with a shared future for mankind, Chinese ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming has said.
"Virus knows no borders," said Liu. "In face of difficulties and challenges, it is all the more important that we stay open in order to deepen cooperation and, in turn, promote development."
The ambassador made the remarks Monday at an event in Scunthorpe, an industrial town in northeastern England, in celebration of the acquisition of British Steel by China's Jingye Group.
"This acquisition also demonstrates the confidence and belief that China and the UK will work together to overcome any difficulty," Liu said.
The cooperation between China's Jingye and British Steel "is the best interpretation of the prevailing trend of our times, that is, countries should be open to cooperation, embrace innovation and share the benefits of development," Liu said.
Describing the acquisition deal as a "golden fruit" of the China-Britain "Golden Era", Liu said this "golden fruit" is especially valued at this critical time when the Chinese and British people are working together to get COVID-19 under control.
"It is my hope that the deal between China's Jingye and British Steel will provide a strong impetus to China-UK joint response to challenges and instill confidence in an open global economy," he said.
Chinese steelmaker Jingye Group on Monday completed the acquisition of British Steel's business and assets in Britain and the Netherlands, said the Chinese steelmaker in a statement.
The completion secures the future of approximately 3,200 jobs, said Jingye, pledging to invest 1.2 billion pounds (about 1.38 billion U.S. dollars) to place the business on a more competitive and sustainable footing.
