On June 27, 2011, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met in London with eminent British figures who have contributed a great deal to the China-UK friendship.

Wen said that China-UK ties have gone through numerous ups and downs and travelled an extraordinary journey. Both sides face many opportunities and challenges under the new situation. He hoped that China-Britain relations will move forward, which benefits not only the two countries and their peoples but peace and development of the whole world. Calling those present "old friends of China" and "the backbone of the China-UK friendship," the premier expressed hope that they will offer suggestions for bilateral relations and continue contributing to the mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The British side expressed warm welcome for Wen's visit. While recalling their interaction with China, the British participants said they were delighted with the substantial progress of bilateral ties and raised positive suggestions for promoting bilateral ties. They said they took pride in being old friends of China. The two countries should enhance mutual understanding and cooperation as they have many common interests and goals, they said. The British side also thanked Wen for his encouragement, and promised to make more contributions to the development of China-UK ties.