The European Union (EU) foreign ministers asserted on Monday in Luxembourg that the human rights situation in China has seen "positive trend".

"From a long term perspective, a positive trend can be seen, with improvements in the rule of law and respect for economic rights and decline in the influence of the state on citizens' daily life," said a document on EU-China human right dialogue issued Monday by the ministers.

The ministers, who gathered in Luxembourg for a two-day meeting,also acknowledged that China has made "considerable progress" overthe last decade in its social-economic development and economic freedom for ordinary citizens.

The ministers also concluded that the human rights dialogue between the EU and China is "a valuable instrument" and "an important element of overall EU-China relations."

The EU will pursue the human rights dialogue and organize cooperation programs and seminars with China.

"The EU will continue to raise human rights issues with China in bilateral and multilateral exchanges at all levels," said the document.