Chinese Premier ends visits to Belgium, EU headquarters, starts visit to Italy

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday afternoon left Brussels for Italy, ending his two-day official visit to Belgium and the headquarters of the European Union (EU).

On Thursday morning, Wen held talks with European Commission (EC) President Romano Prodi, vowing to further consolidate and develop the all-around strategic partnership between China and the bloc.

The premier put forward a five-point proposal for boosting China-EU relations:

-- To enhance discussions on strategic issues between Chinese and European leaders;

-- To expand China-EU economic and technological cooperation;

-- To consolidate legal and safeguarding mechanisms for cooperation between the two sides;

-- To boost communications and dialogue between the parliaments, academic organizations, research institutes and media organizations from the two sides; and

-- To improve consultation mechanisms on settling disputes and differences arising from bilateral ties, including those related to trade and human rights.

Prodi extended a warm welcome to Wen on his first visit to the executive arm of the EU, noting that relations between the EU and China have gone far beyond the rapid-expansion of economic and trade relations between the two.

The EC boss vowed to take concrete steps to promote the EU-China strategic partnership. As mutual strategic partners, both the EU and China will make their own contribution to world peace and stability.

After the talks, officials from the two sides signed five cooperation documents including an agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, the China-EU Trade Policy Dialogue, the China-EU Competition Policy Dialogue, the China-EU Textiles Trade Dialogue and the Joint Declaration on Galileo Cooperation.

A day earlier, Wen also met with EU security and foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

On Wednesday, Wen held talks with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt who together signed a joint declaration on reinforcing political dialogue and the Articles of Association of the China-Belgium Equity Investment Fund, a fund to encourage medium-sized and small Belgian firms to invest in China.

The premier also met with several other Belgian leaders on Wednesday and delivered a speech at a forum on China-EU investment and trade on Thursday morning, noting that China will generate enormous business opportunities for business communities of the EU.

Chinese premier starts visit to Italy to enhance bilateral ties

Wen's plane touched down at Rome's Fiumicino Airport at 5:35 p.m. local time (1535 GMT) after he wrapped up a two-day visit to Belgium and the European Union headquarters. He will attend a banquet hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini later in the day.

During his visit in Italy, the Chinese premier will hold talks with his Italian counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi, and met with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and speakers of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to exchange views on Sino-Italian and Sino-European ties and international issues of mutual concern.

Wen will address a proseminar on China-Italy investment and visit Italy's major space company Alenia Spazio. He will also fly to Florence on Saturday to continue his visit.

The friendship and cooperation between China and Italy in every respect have witnessed smooth development since the establishment of diplomatic ties 34 years ago. In recent years, the exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries has increased, thus promoting mutual understanding and bilateral relationship.

Italy is an important trading partner of China in the European Union. The Sino-Italian economic and technological cooperation has also witnessed rapid development over recent years.

Wen kicked off his 11-day Europe tour on Sunday, his first visit to the continent since taking office as premier one year ago. Italy is the third leg of the premier's five-nation tour, which has taken him to Germany and Belgium. He will also visit Britain and Ireland.

Source: Xinhua