Traditional Chinese culture caught the attention of British Prime Minister David Cameron when Premier Li Keqiang hosted him on a visit to the National Museum of China in Beijing on Monday.

Li and Cameron together viewed collections including bronzeware, Buddhist figures and blue-and-white porcelain.

Cameron showed a great interest in ancient Chinese culture, the interpreter for the two leaders told China Daily.

Seeing the Houmuwu square cauldron, a cast bronze artefact from the Shang Dynasty (16th century to 11th century BC), Cameron expressed amazement at ancient Chinese civilization and the wisdom of the people, she said.

"As well as their different histories and the geographic distance, there are cultural differences between China and the UK, and cultural exchanges like the exhibition can help the two peoples better know each other," she said. She added that she hoped Cameron would inspire more British people to get to know Chinese culture.

Before his China visit, Cameron visited the "Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings" exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Cameron will also visit Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, and some netizens have informed Cameron, "Sichuan hotpot is waiting for you."

China Daily

(China Daily 12/03/2013 page10)