British Queen makes references to China in keynote speech

Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend the State Opening of Parliament London, Britain, May 27, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - A leading Chinese economist in Britain on Wednesday described Queen Elizabeth II's speech at the State Opening of Parliament as historic in China-Britain relations.

Wu Kegang, CEO of trade promotion organization BCC Link to China made the comment after the Queen made two references in her speech to China.

"It was obviously a very positive speech, being the first time ever reference was made to China in a Queen's speech," Wu told Xinhua.

Wu said the mention of China shows that the Conservative government of Britain and the government of China have both come of age, and are now entering a period of good and positive relations.

"The references in the speech were very promising as far as cooperation with China goes," Wu said.

The queen told members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords that her government looked forward to an enhanced partnership with China and India.

The queen also said she and her husband, Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, were looking forward to welcoming His Excellency the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng, on a state visit to Britain in October.

Xi is likely to be the first head of state to personally congratulate the queen on becoming the longest serving monarch in British history. On Sept 9, the queen will surpass the current longest reign of her great, great grandmother Queen Victoria, who was on the British throne for 67 years and 216 days.