Prescott made the remarks while addressing the opening of the Sino-UK Construction Management Seminar.

He said UK companies had considerable experience in designing and implementing world-class facilities for major sporting events. Many British consultants had already been involved in a wide range of projects in China, and he looked forward to such cooperation continuing.

Prescott brought with him to China a trade delegation including 28 leading British companies from the British Construction and Consultants Bureau (BCCB) and British members of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

These companies, such as the Arup Group Ltd (ARUP), are world-class leaders in the fields of infrastructure and design.

BCCB Chief Executive Colin Adams said the purpose of the Sino-UK Construction Management Seminar was to help build a cooperative partnership between British and Chinese companies, and expand cooperation not only in China but also in other countries.

China welcomed more British companies

Chinese Construction Minister Wang Guangtao, who also addressed the opening ceremony of the seminar, said that Beijing's successful bidding for the Olympics would produce many new construction projects for the city.

China welcomed more British companies to share in Beijing's construction, and also hoped more Chinese construction companies could participate in British projects, said Wang, adding that cooperation between Chinese and British companies would boost such international contracts and promote the development of the global construction industry.

Currently, Beijing's Olympic Garden project was inviting bids from around the world. So far, 177 companies had responded, and project financing was progressing smoothly, Beijing Mayor Liu Qi said during his meeting with Prescott on Monday.

( May 22, 2002)