China and the European Union have reached consensus on many issues concerning the strengthening of an overall strategic partnership following a two-day policy documents seminar by officials of the two sides.  

Sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry said 200 officials from 28 ministerial departments of China and the European Commission, the European Council, EU members and the 10 prospective EU members participated in the seminar that concluded in Beijing Wednesday.

"In a frank, pragmatic, equal and mutually-beneficial atmosphere, the two sides discussed in detail the strengthening of the partnership in politics, trade and economy, science, technology, culture and public health, and have reached consensus on many issues," a Foreign Ministry official said.

On the basis of the consensus, the two sides would make a joint action plan.

The seminar followed up the sixth summit meeting between China and the EU last October in Beijing. The two sides each made public a document expounding its foreign policy towards the other last October, making a number of suggestions on enhancing cooperation.

The aim of the seminar was to review the two policy documents through comparative study, and make specific and feasible plans to implement the documents.

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Yesui said at the seminar that as two important forces in the world, China and the EU should step up cooperation in world peace and development.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2004)