(Yicai Global) Jan. 19 -- China-UK economic and trade cooperation has huge development potential, and China is promoting the establishment of a bilateral entrepreneurs' council, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said when asked about possible outcomes of British Prime Minister Theresa May's planned visit.

The two countries have strengthened their economic and trade ties in recent years. Bilateral trade rose 6.2 percent annually to USD79 billion last year. China's exports to Britain rose 1.8 percent, and its imports from Britain climbed 19.4 percent.

British investment in China totaled USD1.5 billion last year, while China's non-financial investment in Britain amounted to USD1.53 billion.

China has convened the first meeting of a trade working group to discuss opportunities for further expanding bilateral trade and investment, Gao said.

China and France established an entrepreneurs' council during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit earlier this month. It aims to establish a platform for direct exchanges between enterprises of the two countries and provide a channel for effective communication between the government and companies.