The Communist Part of China (CPC) will continue to enhance exchanges with the European People's Party (EPP) to lift China-EU relations to a new height, said ?top advisor Jia Qinglin Friday.

 

In a meeting with an EPP delegation led by its Party President Wilfried Martens, Jia said the party exchanges is beneficial to increasing mutual trust and promoting China-EU cooperation.

 

During the 9th China-EU Summit in Finland in September, China and the EU reached consensus on kickoff of the negotiations on signing the Sino-European new framework agreement, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

 

"This is of great significance to substantiating the all-around Sino-European strategic partnership and benefiting peace and stability of the world," said Jia.

 

Jia hailed sound development of China-EU cooperation since the two sides forged diplomatic ties 31 years ago, saying the two sides have witnessed rapid trade growth and maintained coordination in major international and regional issues.

 

Martens said his party would like to conduct political dialogue and friendly cooperation with the CPC and further exchanges of politicians between China and the EU to contribute to bilateral relations.

 

This was the first EPP delegation to visit China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2006)