BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao began talks with visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown here Friday morning at the Great Hall of the People, after a red-carpet welcome ceremony.

    Brown said he was pleased to be in Beijing meeting Chinese leaders so that the two countries could enhance the strategic partnership on all major issues.

    "I welcome dialogues between the two countries," he said, "and I would like to extend the dialogues from economics, finance to science, education, culture, arts, sports, and dialogues on all major issues affecting two countries and the whole world."

    He also congratulated the Chinese government on its tremendous economic success and being host of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

    "This year is going to be an incredibly successful year for both the Chinese economy and China as the host of Olympic Games," he said.

    Diplomats said that Wen and Brown will discuss a so-called Sino-British "comprehensive strategic partnership," and issues concerning bilateral cooperation on trade and investment, education and academia, climate change and environment as well as Olympics cooperation, and other regional and world issues.