China, EU agree to improve political trust, expand reciprocal cooperation

Chinese and EU foreign ministers agreed Wednesday to improve political trust and expand reciprocal cooperation to further enhance their 30-year-old relations.

After meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, the European Union "Troika" of foreign ministers, currently in Beijing for a two-day official visit, held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

The EU visitors include Jean Asselborn, foreign minister of Luxembourg, which holds the rotating EU presidency, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU external relations commissioner, and a representative of the British Foreign Secretary.

"To build the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership is acorrect choice made by China and the EU based on their own interests. It benefits the interests of the two sides as well as the world peace and stability," Li said.

The Chinese Foreign Minister suggested China and the EU maintain high level visits, improve communication and coordinationin key international and regional issues and expand cooperation intrade, science, education, regional development and environmental protection.

The EU Foreign Ministers said the EU is delighted with the fast development of EU-China relations and that the EU is ready to improve cooperation with China.

The EU diplomats' visit to China came on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two sides. During their stay in Beijing, they were also scheduled to meet with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

China-EU relations have developed quickly in recent years. In 2004, bilateral trade hit 177.3 billion US dollars, increasing by 73 times from that in 1975 when the two forged diplomatic relations.

Currently, the EU is China's top trade partner and China is EU's second largest trade partner.