Premier Zhu Meets Prodi

Premier Zhu Rongji Meets Prodi

Premier Zhu Rongji and Romano Prodi, the European Commission president, Tuesday had a friendly and candid exchange of views on China-EU relations and international issues of common concern.

Prodi said that this is Zhu's first visit to the EU headquarters and that the EU-China relations are entering a new stage. There is a firm foundation in the friendly relations and cooperation between the EU and China, he said.

In the recent past, the EU and Chinese leaders hold talks every year and their contacts have strengthened mutual understanding and communication, the EU executive head said.

The EU-China bilateral agreement signed recently on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will not only promote the development of the EU-China economic and trade ties, but also have very active impact on the full development of EU-China relations.

The 15-country European bloc is looking forward to enhancing cooperation with China, the president added.

On his part, Zhu agreed with Prodi's positive comments on current Sino-European relations. Zhu emphasized that China attaches importance both to the important role and position of the EU in the process of multipolarizational world and to the development of relations with the EU and its member countries.

The EU occupies an important position in China's overall diplomacy, Zhu said. China is willing to broaden and deepen cooperation with the EU in various fields to develop a new century-oriented long-term and stable relations with the EU. The relations are not only in the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides, but also conducive to the establishment of a new international political and economic order that is more just, reasonable and balanced, the premier said.

Prodi also briefed Zhu on the development of European integration. Zhu expressed China's support for the process of European integration and its hope that the development of European integration will be conducive to peace and stability in Europe and the world, and to the development of relations between the EU and the other countries of the world, especially the developing countries.

Prodi reiterated that the EU will stick to the one-China policy and maintains only economic and cultural contacts with China's Taiwan.

Zhu and Prodi agreed that on handling the differences over human rights in other issues, the two sides will continue their dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

On Monday, Zhu met with Javier Solana, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. Solana said the EU attaches great importance to the important role played by China in the world arena. He expressed his belief that Euroepan-China relations will witness a greater development in the new century with joint efforts.

Zhu said that China hopes to see that Europe will play a more and more important role as the world moves to multipolarization. China is willing to further strengthen its cooperation in all fields with the EU on the basis of the current friendly and cooperative relations between the two sides, he added.

Also on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan met with Christopher Patten, the EU commissioner for external relations, to exchange views on Sino-European cooperation. Tang also met with Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel.