Javier Solana has been visiting China almost every year since he became "housekeeper" of the European Union in 1999. As EU Council Secretary-General and EU Foreign Policy Commissioner, he comes to China again this year with other EU leaders on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of EU-China diplomatic relations. The Global Times had an exclusive interview with him on September 5 in China World Hotel where he stayed.

He discussed with Chinese leaders a wide range of issues during this visit, said Solana, from controlling climate change, energy cooperation to Galileo project. This indicates ample room for cooperation between EU and China, and cooperation in these fields all bears a strategic nature.

As a "housekeeper" Solana managed two important and huge international organizations: NATO and EU, and associated with leaders of many countries. I regard President Hu Jintao as a good friend, says Solana, for he is a very sensible and pragmatic person. He knows how to make China play a strategic role in world affairs, and how to meet different needs of a vast number of people so as to create a better life for the Chinese.

He envies the Chinese way of living

Solana says he will never forget the first time he tastes Peking Roast Duck in China: he really loves Chinese food.

Solana is also deeply impressed by the Chinese way of living. He once went to many cities: Beijing, Shanghai and costal cities of Guangdong. There he found people enjoy life and value family. Everybody was open-minded and friendly, which he envied very much.

He loves even more the Chinese culture. For him, the Chinese culture is both profound and practical. China has always been a big country, says Solana, and I will look stupid if I know nothing, or show no interest, about its culutre. China represents the past and present, but still more the future.

By People's Daily Online