President Hu Jintao meets EU leaders

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 30, 2003

President Hu Jintao meets EU leaders

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Chinese President Hu Jintao met Thursday in Beijing with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy in his capacity as President of the European Council and other EU officials attending the Sixth China-EU Leaders' Meeting.

The other officials included President of the European Commission Romano Prodi and High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana.

Hu Jintao said China-EU relations have withstood the test of time and changes of international situations over the past 30 years. In recent years, the two sides have constantly held political dialogues and consultations, and as a result, mutual understanding and trust have increased, economic relations and trade have improved and cooperation has grown.

China and the EU issued policy documents recently, setting the orientation for the growth of bilateral relations and expressing their will to deepen mutual relations. These documents have drawn positive reactions from the international community.

Hu said China always hopes to develop its relations with the EU out of strategic and long-term considerations. China agrees with the EU proposal on developing a full strategic partnership, and is ready, on the basis of mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences, to promote bilateral political ties to grow in a healthy and stable way.

China is also ready to push forward cooperation in all areas in the spirit of consultation on an equal footing and mutual benefit, to expand friendship and understanding on the basis of learning from each other, he said.

"I believe that under the joint efforts of our two sides, China-EU relations will grow steadily," he said.

The Chinese president said a united and powerful Europe will not only serve the interest of the European people, but will also be conducive to the peace, stability and development of the entire world.

China supports the integration process of Europe, and hopes the EU will play an even greater role in maintaining world peace and stability, and contributing to the prosperity and development of the world, said Hu.

Berlusconi said the EU considers China an important force on today's world stage as well as an indispensable partner in maintaining world peace and stability. The EU is willing to strengthen cooperation with China.

The Italian prime minister said the three agreements and documents to be signed by the two sides during the conference will open up new horizon for cooperation and demonstrate the EU determination in strengthening cooperation with China.

President of the European Commission Romano Prodi said EU-Chinacooperation has developed satisfactorily as the two sides have had fruitful cooperation within international organizations and constant growth in bilateral trade.

Prodi said the EU hopes to expand cooperation with China in finance and investment. He pledged that the EU will work to recognize China as a market economy as early as possible.

Solana said the EU and China, faced with a complicated international situation and many severe challenges, have identical views on many major international issues. They both uphold the belief that international disputes should be resolved through peaceful means.

He said the EU holds that EU-China relations are of strategic significance, and will make concerted efforts with the Chinese side to continuously strengthen bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit in such fields as politics, economy, trade, education, science and technology.

Hu also spoke on China's development and the European visitors praised China's rapid economic growth.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China, EU establish trade policy dialogue mechanism

Pragmatic dialog in 'honeymoon period' of China-EU relations

Global survey: Chinese women sexiest ( 11 Messages)

Business Week: Is China's boom in danger? ( 3 Messages)

Chinese gov't opposes Taiwan's separatism, referendum ( 7 Messages)

China pays last tribute to Madame Soong Mei-ling ( 3 Messages)

China expects to see trade deficit in near future: official ( 2 Messages)