The relationship with China is one of the best examples of the EU's openness to the outside. The EU has just run a long 'marathon' of integration, and now needs time to rest before it can move forward again.

Serge Abou (left to the poster), EU Ambassador to China, and Dr. Volker Stanzel, German Ambassador to China, hold the poster with a golden pig for the Chinese Year of Pig for a promotion by European retailers and service providers.

The remarks were made by Mr. Serge Abou, the EU's Ambassador to China on March 22, when ambassadors and representatives to China from all of the EU's 27 member countries assembled for a press conference in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the EU.

China and EU decided to develop a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in 2003. In January 2007 the two parties launched talks on a new cooperation framework as a legal basis for future cooperation.

Mr. Abou praised the close relationship between EU and China and believes that it will go further and further.

China is the largest exporter to the EU and its second largest trading partner while the EU is China's largest trading partner and investor. Mr. Abou said there are currently 100,000 Chinese students studying in the EU and the region has received 1.5 million Chinese tourists in the last year. The EU is also China's biggest partner in science and technology cooperation.

The EU Chamber of Commerce in China had 51 members when it was established 7 years ago and that number has increased to 1100. Mr. Ian Kay, Secretary General of the Chamber, said at the press conference that these companies have a long-term strategy in China; they are not here "for a short visit and to make some money and disappear."

The issue of the EU's arms embargo on China, however, has overshadowed the partnership for years. Dr. Volker Stanzel, Ambassador for Germany �C Germany has the EU presidency for the first half of this year �C stressed that the question of the arms embargo is a matter "between the People's Republic of China and the European Union," and Mr. Abou echoed by stressing the independence of EU policy.

European businesses in China have launched a campaign �C "We are also Chinese companies", in a bid to impress their local identity while making their demands for a fairer, more open market environment.

When it comes to challenges within the EU, specifically, the stagnation of integration, Mr. Abou used a metaphor. He said that European citizens need a "rest" before going further on the road of integration, like a marathon runner who is too tired to run another 20 kilometers after a 40-kilometer race.

Mr. Abou is proud of what the EU has achieved, and reminded the reporters assembled that much has been achieved without the devaluation of the Euro, without fiscal deficit, and without compromising the social security system.

The Ambassador of Bulgaria, a new EU member, asserted that the reforms his country has made serve not only the purpose of EU accession, but also the interests of its people.

Besides openness, Mr. Abou highlighted another two factors that make the EU a success story: common values and the right engine �C trade.

By People's Daily Online