China to promote all-round strategic partnership with EU

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui said in a recent article that the relations between China and the European Union (EU) has been on the track of stable development as the two sides have reached consensus to devote to the promotion of the strategic partnership.

In an article marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic links between China and EU, Zhang said under the background of complicated and ever changing situation of the current world, further development of Sino-European relations is not only in the fundamental interests of both sides, but also conducive to world peace, stability and development.

The article, entitled "Pushing forward development of China-EU All-round Strategic Partnership -- commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and EU," was published in the latest issue of Seeking Truth magazine.

Zhang said in the article that over the past three decades, Sino-European relations have evolved into all-dimensional, wide-ranged and multi-level cooperation. Now the relations between China and EU are in the best ever state in history, Zhang said.

Zhang noted that the two sides have maintained frequent exchange of visits of high-ranking officials and continuously enhanced political mutual trust. He said the two sides have kept improving political dialogue and consultation mechanism at all levels and vigorously pushed forward healthy development of their relations. Zhang said China and EU have widened the area of cooperation from time to time and added more and more content to their all-round strategic partnership.

He said trade and economic cooperation between China and EU expanded fast as the two economies becoming increasingly complementary to each other. Two-way trade has been growing at an annual speed of 30-40 percent over the past few years. In 2004, trade volume reached an all-time high of 177.28 billion US dollars. The enlarged EU has become the top trade partner of China, while China being EU's second largest partner.

Zhang said China and EU have enhanced the level and quality of their cooperation in science and technology, which has born rich fruits. The Sino-European cooperation has already been expanded to nearly 40 areas of science and technology.

Facts over the past 30 years have proven that the establishment and development of Sino-European relations is a correct choice that the two sides made on the basis of their fundamental interests, Zhang said.

Noting that China and EU have different history, cultural traditions, political systems and levels of economic development, Zhang said it is normal that the two sides hold different views and even disagreement on certain issues. He said it is important that the two sides should firmly grasp common points of their interests and fully respect each other in the process of solving difference and conflicts. He said the two sides should increase trust, remove doubt and reduce friction through dialogue.

Meanwhile, Zhang said the two sides should pay attention to the major concern of each other and resolve differences timely and properly, without hurting the overall situation of their relations due to transient factors.

Zhang noted that in December 2004, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao put forward the principles of developing Sino-European relations at the Seventh China-EU Leaders' Meeting. The principles are mutual respect; equality and mutual benefit; seeking common ground while putting aside differences; and striving for win-win cooperation.

Zhang said Sino-European cooperation has solid foundation, broad common interests, good opportunity and great prospect of growth.