Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Union Commission, said in Shanghai Saturday that China's development and growth should be regarded as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Delivering a speech at a business school in Shanghai, Barroso said the whole world is increasingly aware of China's influence with its rapid economic growth over the past two decades. But China's rise is "an opportunity" rather than "a threat" to other countries, he said.

Barroso arrived in Beijing Thursday morning for a five-day official visit. He said during his stay here, he saw a modern, open and vigorous China.

He said China's entry into the World Trade Organization is a landmark issue in the Chinese history. China's economy is rapidly integrating into the world economy and taking an increasingly bigger proportion in the world economy, he said

He said the European Union will make contributions to China's development.

Referring to the trade frictions between China and EU, Barroso said the EU hopes to solve all the disputes through contact and dialogue.

It is Barroso's first visit to China as president of EU Commission. While in Beijing, Barroso had met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2005)