China's top lawmaker Li Peng said in Beijing yesterday that China sets great store by developing relations with the European Union (EU).
The nation is keen to widen dialogue and cooperation with the EU in economic, educational and scientific fields plus discuss the issues of human rights and Tibet, he said.
Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks when meeting a European Parliamentary delegation headed by Madam Elly Plooij-Van Gorsel from the Netherlands.
At Li's invitation, the 21-member delegation from various EU countries will leave for the Tibet Autonomous Region today.
Sino-EU relations have been boosted over the years by frequent political meetings at various levels, Li said. China values the EU's important international role, and sees strong ties with the EU as in the basic interest of both parties and beneficial to world peace, stability and development.
China proposed that both parties seek common ground in areas of contention through better understanding and more dialogue as equal partners, he added.
Li said he expects the EU lawmakers to learn first hand the former and current situation in Tibet, and how China's policies on ethnic minorities work.
Madam Elly Plooij-Van Gorsel said that the European Parliament admires China for the successful reform of its economy and legal system, and would continue to be interested in China's future development.
Vice-Premier Qian Qichen said yesterday that China values the important role of the European Union (EU) in the international arena, and promoting relations between China and the EU conforms to the fundamental interests of both sides.
At a meeting with the European delegation, Qian said the all-round partnership between China and the EU is entering a new period of development.
(China Daily July 9, 2002)
