LONDON, Oct. 27-- China and Europe are in many ways the "perfect match" with significant potential for deepening their relations, said an expert on contemporary international affairs.

"When China is still a developing country, most of Europe went through the main phase of their economic development quite some time ago; so what Europe can supply and deliver, both in terms of services and goods, is very much what many Chinese would like to have in the future," Odd Arne Westad, a professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), told Xinhua.

The complementary relationship between China and Europe is "a wonderful connection and combination," said Westad, who is also director of LSE IDEAS, a center for international affairs, diplomacy and grand strategy.

He noted that he is positive about overall China-Europe relations. "I see some disagreements between the European Union (EU) and China, but I cannot see a single one of them that cannot be overcome through negotiations quite easily," he explained.

He added that the EU-China relationship is first and foremost built on economic development, based on trade and investment.

"I think developing and deepening the relationship between China and Europe in economic terms first of all is very important, and the potential is significant as well," said Westad.

On the other hand, he analyzed that what should be avoided now for both sides are the economic difficulties developing in Europe as well as a downturn of the Chinese economy. "That would be disasters not just for China and Europe, but also for the world," he warned.

In terms of the current Sino-Japanese relations, Westad believed getting a less conflictual relationship is essential for the two countries.

"I think both sides, not only China, but also Japan, need to accentuate what could be seen as positive in the relationship, and that is first and foremost an economic game that both sides can have continued interaction," he urged.

A rising China is good for the whole region, the professor noted, but it can only be achieved by avoiding a conflict between China and Japan.

"As long as China and Japan are locked in a conflicting relationship with each other, the U.S. would continue to be the predominant power within the region. There is no doubt about it," he argued.

Talking about China's overall international strategy, he said China has been good in accentuating its need for further economic and social reform, and that demands "stability in terms of China's relationship with the outside world."

He suggested that China need strategies dealing with different international problems that would work well together.

"Out of that over time might come an overarching approach, a Chinese approach -- 'The Chinese dream' translated into international society. I think it would be very good," he told Xinhua.