China, EU pass youth leaders statement (2)

Premier Wen Jiabao and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso jointly initiated the EU-China Year of Youth during the 12th EU-China summit held in 2009.

The initiative aims to promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between young people in China and the EU, as well as encourage them to support the development of China-EU relations.

Lu Yongzheng, vice president of the All-China Youth Federation, said during the closing ceremony of the EU-China Youth Leaders Summit that the Year has won active support and involvement from young people of both sides.

"It proved to be fruitful in expanding consensus and cooperation between youth and youth organizations of both sides," Lu said.

Youth exchanges are an important part of people-to-people exchanges, Lu said, adding that the development of people-to-people exchanges not only complies with the common interests and needs of both sides, but are also a necessity for the continued development of EU-China relations.

Lu expressed his hope that new media, especially official websites, microblogs and mobile phones. should be extensively used to promote EU-China youth exchanges and relations.

European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou also made an appearance at the closing ceremony.