China's latest economic transformation will bring "historic and unprecedented opportunities" to Britain, said British Ambassador to China Sebastian Wood on Wednesday.

"China becomes the world's No. 1 economy by PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) estimates," said Ambassador Wood who delivered a keynote speech at the Royal Society at the invitation of the Confucius Institute For Scotland at the University of Edinburgh.

Wood emphasized the "extraordinary" and "dynamic" changes and the "crucial and difficult reform" undertaken in China since the adoption of reform and opening up policy in 1978, as well as China's great achievements in reducing poverty.

The ambassador hailed the efforts of China's new leadership led by President Xi Jinping to transform China's investment and export-driven economy to a more sustainable one as "a bolder approach" and "inspiring."

Despite the risks of China's economic slowdown, the challenges in the property market and financial sector, Wood said "on the whole, I'm pretty optimistic about the future opportunities in China for the United Kingdom."

Britain enjoys advantages in sectors of service, innovation, education, research, and London serves as an "ideal platform" to diversify China's foreign investment, while China is a "fast-growing market" with capital to help Britain to improve infrastructure, according to the ambassador, terming the two countries' development as "complementary."

"The next two decades are the golden era for the United Kingdom and China," said Wood, emphasizing the "partnership for growth, reform and innovation" listed during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Britain in June.

He described the Chinese policy makers as "open-minded and pragmatic," "mean business" with strong action against corruption and promise of "rule by law."

Meanwhile, Wood praised Confucius Institute's role in promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

"Even my daughter and son have high interests in learning the Chinese language," he noted with a smiling face.

Principal of University of Edinburgh Timothy O'Shea also hailed the Confucius Institute for its activities to promote intellectual and academic exchanges under the supervision of an advisory board.

Apart from high-end business lectures, the Confucius institutes in Scotland also open language courses, Chinese culture classes, and hold celebrations on traditional Chinese festivals.

In Scotland, there are five Confucius institutes out of a total of 25 in the United Kingdom.

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