Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met Sunday with a delegation from the European Parliament Group for Relations with China led by its Chairman Per Gahrton.

Li said that China places great importance on its relations with the European Union, and pays close attention to the EU's position and role in international affairs, adding that as multi-polarity and economic globalization are developing, the establishment and development of a constructive partnership between China and the EU is in the interests of both sides, and will benefit world peace and stability.

He said that high-level exchanges of visits between China and the EU as well as its members have been frequent, and various kinds of political consultation and dialog have been good, adding that China and the EU reached an agreement on China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) last May, thus providing new opportunity for expanding bilateral cooperation.

In addition, the two sides have had increased cooperation in scientific, technological, educational and other areas, Li said, adding that China is pleased with all of this.

Li said the Chinese NPC is willing to promote exchanges with the European Parliament, and the European Parliament Group for Relations with China has done a lot of work to develop relations with the NPC since the establishment of the group two decades ago, adding that the regular consultation mechanism between the two sides played a positive role in promoting mutual understanding and friendly relations.

Li said that it is natural that different countries have different views on some issues because of their different social systems, different level of development and different histories, cultural background and values, adding that the best approach to the problem is to engage in exchanges and dialog on the basis of equality, mutual respect and seeking common ground and pushing aside differences.

He also briefed the guests on China's policies upon its WTO entry, its principles concerning Sino-EU human rights dialog and its opposition to the Dalai Lama's attempts to split the motherland and go in for Tibet's independence.

Li said that some European and American personages know little about Tibet's history and reality, and they draw conclusions from one-sided and distorted news reports, adding that more people from the European Parliament are welcome to Tibet to see the reality of this autonomous region.

Gahrton said that the members of his delegation come from different countries, and place importance on developing relations with China, adding that China will play an even greater role in the international economic affairs after China joins the WTO.

He reaffirmed that the EU and the European Parliament adhere to the one-China policy, and the European people are interested in Tibet, and know that Tibet was a dark serf society before democratic reform took place there, and that that period of history should not repeat itself.

He also said that it is a fact that great changes have taken place in Tibet, and the European Parliament would like to learn more about Tibet's actual situation and the Chinese government's policies on the Dalai Lama.

He said that the European Parliament has a long-standing friendly relationship with the Chinese NPC, and is willing to expand exchanges with it.

The delegation is here for the 17th Sino-EU working talks.

(Peoples’ Daily 10/30/2000)