China supports EU integration

China has always supported the integration of the European Union and would like to see more achievements in its political alliance, said Kong Quan, spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry Tuesday afternoon.

Kong made the remarks when commenting on the failure of the passage of the EU Constitution in France during a regular press conference.

A French referendum Sunday overwhelmingly rejected the EU Constitution. The French "no" will directly affect other EU member states that planed a popular vote, such as the Netherlands, Britain, Poland, Denmark and Ireland.

The EU Constitution aims at improving EU integration. All 25 EU members must ratify the text for it to take effect as planned by Nov. 1, 2006. Nine already have done so including Austria, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

"We hope to see a bigger role of the EU in the international affairs," Kong said.

Source: Xinhua