Former German chancellor terms China's rise "fantastic opportunity" for Europe

Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl said on Friday in Hamburg that China's rise was a "fantastic opportunity" for Germany and Europe.

China, which is undergoing "unbelievable changes" through its soaring economic growth, has contributed enormously to the global economy, said Kohl in a speech at a Sino-European economic summit held in Hamburg, entitled "China meets Europe."

A positive and stable Sino-EU relationship was in the interests of both sides and should be based on mutual respect, said Kohl, who served as German chancellor from 1983 to 1998 and was the first chancellor of a reunified Germany, since it got divided in 1945 with the end of World War II.

China, for its part, had always been very supportive of Germany's reunification and Europe's integration, said Kohl.

A developing China needs more understanding and support from the western world rather than fear of threat or even resentment, he said.

Kohl called on the EU to face up to the realities of a multi-polar world order, in which, China, India and in a longer period, Latin America and Africa as well, would emerge as centers of power.

Germany must also make this situation clear to its American partners, he said.

China faces certain problems during its course of development, such as the increasing gap between the rich and poor and environmental degradation, said the former chancellor.

"But the Chinese leaders are fully aware of the problems and are trying every effort to solve them," he said, adding that "we should be more patient with that...and if possible, to help them."

According to the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, which initiated the summit, more than 350 economic, political and scientific leaders from both China and Europe attended the event, which closed on Friday.

Source: Xinhua