The Joint Liaison Group meeting in London began on an optimistic note yesterday with China calling for faster progress in what was described as an atmosphere of 'improving relations'. The leader of the Chinese delegation, Ambassador Zhao Jihua , appeared to set the optimistic pace yesterday. In a reference to recent talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind at the Hague, and the visit to China by Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine last month, he said: 'We are now in a period where Sino-British relations have been improving because of the frequent contacts and visits between leaders of the two countries. 'Therefore I would like to express hope that our work in the JLG can also move forward in parallel with the relations between our two countries.'
