A video speech from European Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso was aired at the ceremony. He said that the Year of Youth offers an interactive platform for European and Chinese young people to enhance mutual understanding and friendship and also inject vitality to China-EU relations.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front) attends the opening ceremony of the EU-China Year of Youth in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 23, 2011. [Zhang Duo/Xinhua]

Premier Wen and Barroso jointly initiated The China-EU Year of Youth during the 12th EU-China summit held in 2009.

Along with the opening ceremony in Beijing, Chinese and European youth were immersed in two-day discussions on topics such as culture, education, volunteering, creativity and environmental protection starting on Tuesday.

"We had excellent discussions on possible cooperation projects, ranging from environmental protection, world heritage to art and intellectual property," said Pierre Arlaud, a member of an EU youth delegation that arrived in Beijing on Monday to participate in the opening ceremony.

"I can feel there is a strong will from both sides to deepen understanding and forge a stronger partnership," he added.

The opening ceremony was the first in a series of exchange activities that will be held throughout the year in China and Europe. The events include cultural seminars, volunteer service conferences, youth summer camps and TV debates.

The year-long program was co-hosted by the All-China Youth Federation and the European Commission. The initiative aims to promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between young people in China and the EU, as well as encouraging them to support the development of China-EU relations.