Dear friends,

Over the last more than two decades, EU-China relations have developed to create an increasingly close partnership. Establishment of our diplomatic relation in 1975, and subsequent agreements and advances have led to relations in diverse fields, as well as more and more intense cooperation.

During this time period, both the European Union and China have progressed immensely. This is why many of us feel, in China and in Europe, that the partnership should be the subject of deep reflection with regards to what has been accomplished, what has worked well, and what has worked less well, in order to draw lessons for the future. 2005 was certainly a milestone in EU-China relations as we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of diplomatic ties. In 2006, we made the historic step at the EU-China Summit in Helsinki of agreeing to launch negotiations on a new Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, which will encompass the full scope of their bilateral relationship, including enhanced co-operation in political matters. These negotiations will also update the 1985 EEC-China Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement.

As we look forward to 2007, the Delegation of the European Commission is continuing to work hard to improve our presence in and our cooperation with China. This year will see the formal start of negotiations for our new agreement, and there is much work to be done. People's Daily Online is of the largest Chinese-language news websites. I hope that its readers will follow the further development of EU-China ties closely. I for one look forward to the challenges and the successes ahead.

Serge Abou

Ambassador

Delegation of the European Commission to China