China, EU to ink multiple agreements

China and the European Union (EU) are expected to sign a series of cooperative agreements during an annual summit in Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Beijing Thursday.

"During the eighth China-EU Summit scheduled for Sept. 5, China and the EU will sign a series of agreements on such fields as marine transport, environmental protection and biological diversification," Qin Gang told a regular press conference.

The China-EU summit will involve British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Union ( EU) Commission, said Qin.

Qin said Chinese and the EU leaders will exchange views on the further development of China-EU all-round strategic partnership as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

"Chinese President Hu Jintao will also meet the EU delegation," Qin added.

Qin hailed vigorous China-EU relations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. In 2003, China and the EU agreed to all-round strategic partnership.

"With complementary economies, the trade between the two sides is developing fast," said Qin.

In 2004, the EU became China's largest trade partner, with a trade volume of 177.28 billion US dollars, 33.6 percent up on a year-on-year basis. China was the second largest trade partner of the EU in 2004.

China and the EU have also expanded bilateral cooperation in culture, education and science and technology, Qin said.

Source: Xinhua