The European Union (EU) does not see China as a threat. On the contrary, the EU has consistently supported China over the last 30 years, according to Franz Jessen, the European Commission's Director-General for External Relations.??

Franz Jessen,?European Commission's Director-General for External Relations, delivers a speech at the China Foreign Affairs University on November 26. [Zhang Ming'ai/China.org.cn]??

Jessen made the remarks in a speech delivered at the China Foreign Affairs University Thursday.

Although China's economy has now become a great success story, the EU continues to assist China's development via the Delegation of the European Commission in Beijing and has made many donations to China. "If we saw China as a threat…we would not give China money. We do not see China as a threat," Franz Jessen added.

"The Sino-EU partnership is based on shared interests, equality and mutual respect. It is a strong partnership. It's strong enough to work towards common goals, and strong enough to overcome differences that we have due to our different history, different explications of the world, different geography, different culture, and also different political mechanisms," said Franz Jessen.

According to him, China's increased economic strength has provided many new opportunities for Europe. European companies are very active in the Chinese market and Chinese companies are increasingly active in the European market.

Students listen to the speech made by Franz Jessen, European Commission's Director-General for External Relations, at the China Foreign Affairs University on November 26. [Zhang Ming'ai/China.org.cn]

In response to questions about EU trade barriers against Chinese goods, Jessen said that Europe is not a closed market. China is the biggest source of EU imports. Chinese exports have grown by 10-20 percent a year over the past two decades. European anti-dumping cases have affected less than 1 percent of Chinese exports to Europe. Chinese banks are allowed to operate in any European country without any limitations. Chinese companies are moving in and operating in the European market. This is not only a good thing for Chinese companies, but also for the European economy, said Jessen.

Jessen added that top-ranking Chinese officials, including the Finance Minister, the governor of the Central Bank, and the head of the National Development and Reform Commission will meet Sunday to discuss how to work together with the European Union to combat the financial crisis.

He also disclosed that the RMB issue will be discussed at the upcoming 12th China-EU summit to be held in Nanjing on November 30, 2009. The summit will also discuss the bilateral relationship between the EU and China, climate change, and the financial crisis.