The European Union (EU) summit, which entered into its second day Friday, pledged to develop a strategic partnership with China.

"It reiterates its determination to develop a strategic partnership with China by intensifying dialogue in all areas, whether of an economic or political nature, and by working towards a rapid solution to its trade dispute," said a conclusion document issued by the summit.

Last month, the European Commission, the EU's executive, pledged to start talks on a new EU-China partnership agreement by the end of this year, aiming to replace the current bilateral agreement, which is merely an economic cooperation pact signed in 1985.

The summit also "welcomes the progress made on the revision of the code of conduct" on arms exports, which is designed to replace the arms embargo imposed against China.

Source: Xinhua