EU Publishes New Document on China Ties

The European Union on Tuesday published a new document on China ties, stressing short- and medium-term actions that can further bilateral relations more effectively.

The European Commission, the executive body of the 15-nation bloc, said in the document that building a comprehensive partnership with China remains the long-term strategy while fine-tuning was needed to add new thrust to the development of bilateral relations.

The union proposed such actions as engaging China further in the international community through a strengthened political dialogue, supporting China in its transition toward an open society, integrating China further in the world economy and better using EU-China cooperation projects.

The European Union worked out a document on China ties in 1995 and then revised it.

One commission official said that a further revision was needed since both the European Union and China have developed much since 1998 and bilateral relations should adjust to accommodate the change as well.

The new document was published just days before a scheduled visit by the EU external relations commissioner to China. Chris Patten is to visit China from May 21 to 23 before taking part in the 2001 Asian-European Union foreign ministers meeting in Beijing on May 24 and 25.

(Xinhua 05/16/2001)