The foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) member states, who gathered on Monday in Brussels, pledged to boost the strategic partnership with China.

"The (EU) Council is strongly committed to the maturing of the EU's comprehensive strategic partnership with China," said a conclusion document issued by the foreign ministers' meeting.

On Monday afternoon, the ministers discussed the EU-China relations as the European Commission (EC) has tabled a policy paper on the EU-China relations.

"For this partnership to develop to its full potential, it must be balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial," said the document.

The ministers noted that the EU and China have important international commitments and responsibilities, adding that both should work hard to deliver them "in the interest of wider international security."

They also urged both sides to strengthen "an effective, fair, just and rules-based multilateral international system with the United Nations at its Center."

At the EU-China summit in October 2003, China and the EU announced to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Source: Xinhua