Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that China places
importance on the role of the European Union (EU) in both regional
and international affairs.
During the talks with visiting EU Commission President Romano
Prodi in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Wen noted that
Sino-EU relations are currently in the most active and fruitful
period in history.
The two sides have continuously enhanced mutual trust, rapidly
increased trade and economic links and expanded cooperation in all
areas, the premier said.
He raised three proposals for strengthening Sino-EU
relations:
First, he said, the two sides should study and set objectives
and plan for the development of Sino-EU relations in the coming
10-15 years. Through the exchange of visits by high-ranking
officials and the Seventh China-EU Leaders' Meeting to be held in
December, the two sides should add substance to and further develop
their all-round strategic partnership.
Second, Wen said the two sides should earnestly implement the
policy documents that they signed on Sino-EU relations last year so
as to expand and deepen cooperation in various areas.
Third, the premier said the two sides should observe the
principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit to
properly resolve important issues of common concern through
dialogue and consultation.
Wen said further strengthening Sino-EU relations is not only in
the interest of both China and the EU, but also conducive to global
peace, stability and development.
Noting that the EU is about to realize the largest expansion in
history and that China is pushing forward the cause of building an
all-round well-off society, Wen said the Sino-EU cooperation now
enjoys new and ever greater prospects.
Prodi said the frequent exchange of visits by high ranking
officials between the two sides proved the EU's emphasis on
EU-China relations and its confidence in China's future
development. He said another six European Commission officials will
visit China in the near future.
Prodi said the EU undoubtedly wishes to become an even greater
partner of China in both trade and economic areas and in global
affairs.
The EU wishes to further expand the strategic relations with
China and diversify the forms of cooperation between the two sides,
he said.
Prodi reiterated the EU's principled stance on sticking to the
one-China policy.
Wen and Prodi also exchanged views on international issues of
common concern.
(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2004)