The European Union(EU) hailed the full development of
partnership between China and the 27-member bloc in a statement
following the successful conclusion of the 10th China-EU Leaders'
Meeting held Wednesday in Beijing.
"Over the last ten years, the EU and China have forged links in
many areas such as research, education, energy, environment,
transport and tourism," said the statement by the European
Commission (EC), the bloc's executive arm.
"The tenth EU-China summit reflected on the EU's positive
relationship with China, but also raised current issues such as
climate change, security of energy supply and African development.
As well as common interests, the EU and China also have shared
responsibilities in these areas," the statement added.
It hailed as a "key summit achievement" the signing of a loan to
combat climate change in China.
Despite differences over issues such as the EU trade deficit
with China, Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso
"insisted on the need to reassure the public about China, which
should not be perceived as a threat," the statement said.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with "the progress of the
negotiations" on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which
started in January and aimed at replacing the outdated 1985 Trade
and Economic Cooperation Agreement.
The yearly Sino-European summit was attended by Chinese Premier
Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister Jose Socrates of Portugal, which
currently holds rotating presidency of the European Union, and EC
chief Barroso.
During the two-hour summit meeting, both sides agreed to
properly handle the disputes through dialogue and negotiation in
efforts to seek balance of trade and push forward the China-EU
relations to a new height.
Just before the China-EU Leaders' Meeting on Wednesday
afternoon, the Chinese premier told the 4th China-EU Business
Summit: "We have and will continue to put in place measures aiming
at expanding imports and promoting a more balanced bilateral
trade."
On the same day, Socrates said the EU-China strategic
partnership benefits Europe, China and the world, and the EU
appreciates China's active role in solving the nuclear issue of the
Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue and other major
international and regional issues.
Meanwhile, Barroso said the EU hopes to continuously add
momentum to the EU-China dialogue mechanism, and solve the issues
of common concern through joint efforts.
The EU is the largest trade partner and export market for China,
whereas China is the EU's second largest trading partner. Bilateral
trade volume has quadrupled over the past decade and is expected to
exceed 330 billion U.S. dollars this year.
(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2007)
