FM: Relationship with EU got off to good start this year

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-29 21:14

BEIJING -- Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Sunday that the China-EU relationship got off to a good start this year.

He singled out Premier Wen Jiabao's successful visit to Europe, during talks with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commissioner for external relations of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm.

"This visit will help China and the European Union strengthen their determination and confidence when it comes to deepening the bilateral strategic partnership," he told Ferrero-Waldner

Wen made official visits to Switzerland, Germany, the EU headquarters, Spain and Britain between January 27 and February 2. He also attended the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Yang said China and the European Union should take a strategic approach and increase cooperation to deal with the financial crisis.

President Hu Jintao will attend the Group of 20 financial summit in Britain scheduled for April 1-2.

"We always take a responsible approach to joining preparations for the summit," Yang said, noting that China would increase communication with the EU to help the summit achieve success.

Ferrero-Waldner told Yang that both the EU and China had important international responsibilities in coping with the financial crisis, climate change and other global challenges.

EU-China relations were taking on more of a global sense, she noted.

The EU firmly adheres to the one-China policy and will continue efforts to push forward its relationship with China, Ferrero-Waldner said.

Yang and Ferrero-Waldner also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Ferrero-Waldner also met with Vice Premier Li Keqiang earlier Sunday, and they agreed to expand cooperation to advance China-EU relations.

The commissioner came to China for a visit lasting from March 29 to 30.