Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Union Commission, said Saturday disputes between the EU and China should be settled with dialogue.

In an interview with Chinese media, Barroso said it's natural for the EU and China to have frictions and differences given the extensive trade exchanges between them.

The EU is currently China's largest trade partner and China ranked second among all EU's trade partners.

Barroso said the EU regards China as a partner, adding that the two should solve the current trade disputes with constructive methods rather than confrontation.

As long as the EU and China continue to have dialogue and consultation based on the principles of mutual understanding and mutual benefit, disputes between the two would be solved properly, he said.

Referring to China's market economy status, Barroso said the EU recognizes China's economic achievements and the changes in the country's economic sector. But he noted that the two still have a great deal of technical work to do before EU recognizes China's full market economy status.

Meanwhile, the EU official also urged China to pay more attention to the protection of its traditional culture and environment to maintain a long-term and steady development.

Barroso arrived in Shanghai Saturday morning from Beijing where he had met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao.

It is Barroso's first visit to China as president of EU Commission. His five-day official China tour will also take him to Macao and Hong Kong.

Source: Xinhua