State Councilor shares proposals for China-Europe ties

State Councilor Yang Jiechi delievers a speech at the French Institute of International Relations in Paris on April 14, 2016. [Photo by Tuo Yannan/China Daily]

State Councilor Yang Jiechi proposed a four-point plan for advancing China-Europe relations when addressing the French Institute of International Relations in Paris on Thursday.

On cementing the basis for political mutual trust, Yang said: "For our relations to grow steadily and our cooperation to be sustainable, we must trust and respect each other... We must not allow individual incidents at particular times to affect our overall cooperation."

He said that at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Francois Hollande of France and other European leaders will join global leaders at the G20 Hangzhou Summit.

On China-Europe exchanges this year, Yang referred to key events such as the 18th China-EU Summit and the 16+1 (Central and Eastern Europe-China) Summit in Riga.

"Premier Li Keqiang will have in-depth discussions with leaders of the EU and European countries on enhancing cooperation," Yang said.

"We must use these high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms at various levels to increase communication and coordination on issues of respective interest and deepen our political mutual trust," he added.

When calling for enhancing practical cooperation, Yang noted that China and Europe account for one third of the world economy, and sound economic development in China and Europe is crucial for a steady recovery of the global economy.

"We should speed up negotiations on the China-EU investment agreement and launch, at an early date, a joint feasibility study on a China-Europe FTA to tap into the potential of bilateral trade and investment cooperation," Yang said.

The two sides should step up efforts to set up a joint investment fund and bring into early operation such cooperation projects as high-speed rail and nuclear energy, he added.

About strengthening cooperation on global governance, Yang said as Europe is facing a serious terrorist threat, China is ready for more counter-terrorism communication with Europe and closer cooperation on intelligence sharing.

China and Europe should deepen cooperation in upholding world peace, improving economic governance, sustainable development, cyber security and anti-corruption, Yang said.

"On a particular note, we should strengthen coordination and cooperation on this year's G20 Summit in Hangzhou to ensure its success and play a positive role in promoting global growth," Yang added.

When calling upon deepening multi-dimensional people-to-people exchanges, Yang said China is ready to work with Europe under the framework of the high-level people-to-people dialogue to make an overall plan for cooperation in science and technology, education, culture, health, tourism and sports and exchanges between youth and women.

"We should strive for solid progress on key projects and develop a number of flagship programs," he said.

This year, the two sides shall focus their efforts on the high-level people-to-people dialogues between China and Europe, between China and France and between China and the UK, the China-Germany Year of Youth Exchange and the Year of China-CEEC People-to-People Exchange, according to Yang.