China maps out objectives for its EU policy

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, October 13, 2003

China maps out objectives for its EU policy

China Monday mapped out in a diplomatic strategy document the objectives of its policy towards the European Union (EU). The document titled "China's EU Policy Paper" called upon EU to lift its ban on arms sales to China and to prudently handle Taiwan-related issues.

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The document, titled "China's EU Policy Paper", is the first ever paper on the nation's policy towards the European Union. According to the paper, China's EU policy objectives are:

-- To promote a sound and steady development of China-EU political relations under the principles of mutual respect, mutualtrust and seeking common ground while reserving differences, and contribute to world peace and stability;

-- To deepen China-EU economic cooperation and trade under the principles of mutual benefit, reciprocity and consultation on an equal basis, and promote common development;

-- To expand China-EU cultural and people-to-people exchanges under the principle of mutual emulation, common prosperity and complementarity, and promote cultural harmony and progress betweenthe East and the West.

In retrospect, the paper says China and the European Economic Community established diplomatic relations in 1975, China and the EU launched their annual summit mechanism in 1998 and in 2001, the two sides established a full partnership.

It says China attaches importance to the role and influence of the EU in regional and international affairs.

Despite their twists and turns, China-EU relations as a whole have been growing stronger and more mature and are now on the track of a comprehensive and sound development, the paper says, noting that "China-EU relations now are better than any time in history."

"There is no fundamental conflict of interest between China andthe EU and neither side poses a threat to the other," says the paper, adding that "the common ground between China and the EU faroutweighs their disagreements."

The paper notes that both China and the EU stand for democracy in international relations and an enhanced role of the UN and both are committed to combating international terrorism and promoting sustainable development through poverty elimination and environmental protection endeavors.

It says China and the EU are highly complementary economically thanks to their respective advantages and both China and the EU member states have a long history and splendid culture each and stand for more cultural exchanges and mutual emulation.

EU urged to lift ban on arms sales to China

In the document, China called upon EU to lift its ban on arms sales to China.

The document says the EU should lift its ban on arms sales to China at an early date so as to "remove barriers to greater bilateral cooperation on defense industry and technologies".

China and the EU will maintain high-level military-to-military exchanges, develop and improve, step by step, a strategic security consultation mechanism, exchange more missions of military experts, and expand exchanges in respect of military officers' training and defense studies, says the paper.

EU urged to prudently handle Taiwan issues

China also called upon EU to prudently handle Taiwan-related issues.

The "China's EU Policy Paper" says China appreciates EU and its members' commitment to the one-China principle and hopes that the EU will continue to respect China's major concerns over the Taiwan question, guard against Taiwan authorities' attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and prudently handle Taiwan-related issues.

In this first-ever strategic paper on its policy towards the EU, China urges the EU to:

-- Prohibit any visit by any Taiwan political figures to the EUor its member countries under whatever name or pretext; not to engage in any contact or exchange of an official or governmental nature with Taiwan authorities.

-- Not to support Taiwan's accession to or participation in any international organization whose membership requires statehood. Taiwan's entry into the WTO in the name of "separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen, Mazu" (or Chinese Taipei for short) does not mean any change in Taiwan's status as part of China. EU exchanges with Taiwan must be strictly unofficial and non-governmental.

-- Not to sell to Taiwan any weapon, equipment, goods, materials or technology that can be used for military purposes.

In the paper, the Chinese side also requests the EU side not tohave any contact with the "Tibetan government in exile" or provide facilities to the separatist activities of the Dalai clique.

The paper said China encourages personages of various circles in the EU to visit Tibet and welcomes the support of the EU and its members to Tibet's economic, cultural, educational and social development and their cooperation with the autonomous region "subject to full respect of China's laws and regulations".

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