PRIME Minister David Cameron has signed a deal with China to provide backing to major British infrastructure projects - which includes HS2.

He and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed a bilateral agreement at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office yesterday, which it's hoped will give a boost to the country's economic growth.

The Department for Transport said the deal would enable the two countires to co-operate more clearly on areas such as rail design, engineering, construction, supply, operation and maintenance.

This will include backing for the controversial HS2 rail project, which will cut through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

China has spent the last decade building new high speed railway lines across the country and upgrading the current network.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "I can see great mutual benefit to be gained from increased co-operation between the UK and China on rail. The railways are a massive success story in both countries and we can boast world class expertise across the sector.

"The government’s long term economic plan is working, and Britain is on the rise. But the job is not done. The success stories of the future will be economies that invest in infrastructure and welcome overseas involvement and we want this partnership to be a win-win situation creating economic growth and jobs here and abroad, including in China."

Mr McLoughlin also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese officials on behalf of the British government.

This focuses on the development of new build and upgrading rail infrastructure projects, station design and equipment supply.