Taking a panoramic view of the overall relations between China and the European Union (EU) in the outgoing 2006, they have been more pragmatic, though looking insipid and not so dynamic. Sino-EU ties have become a kind of steady, vigorous ties between big nations in the international relations ever since they decided to forge the strategic partnership in 2003.

This year, substantial progress have been scored in Sino-EU ties in the following aspects: At the Ninth China-EU Summit held in Finland on Sept. 9, both sides underlined the importance of high-level political dialogues and consultations at various levels on the increased mutual understanding and trust, extension of consensus and elevation of bilateral ties, and both sides agreed to start negotiations on the relevant agreements on partnership and cooperation, so as to fully reflect the width and depth of the Sino-EU all-round strategic partnership.

The cooperation and dialogue between the two sides have been expanding, such as strategic dialogues in energy, transport and communication, first-ever consultations have been held on the issue of weather changes, and there is more cooperation in environmental protection and hygiene and health work.

Sino-EU strategic dialogues on political security at the vice-foreign ministerial level have been held twice, with a wide range of topics not only to cover bilateral ties but to deal with international and regional issues. The European Parliament has shown an active momentum with its contact with China, five Party groups from the European Parliament with over 70 members of Parliament have visited the country, and the speaker of the parliament has made a trip to China for the first time in an interval of 13 years. The European Parliament is undergoing a positive change with regard to its attitude toward China. With a fairly rapid growth trend in Sino-EU economic relations and trade, the two-way trade is expected to exceed 250 billion US dollar mark for the whole of 2006. EU has maintained the status as China's first trade partner, while China has retained the second trade partner of EU.

In the sixth China-policy document of the European Commission (EC), the executive arm of the European Union, underscores more and greater "responsibilities" for both sides than ever before. On Oct. 24, the EC issued in Stras0bourge of northeast France a new policy paper regarding the bloc's relations with China. Entitled "EU-China: Closer partners, growing responsibilities", and the document expounds on the importance of developing the EU-China relations, the increasing strength of China, and the policies and measures the EC would adopt to boost ties.

To effectively respond to China's peaceful rise, EU has to tap the potential of its partnership with China, notes the paper. EU-China ties have become increasingly mature and pragmatic. Along with their still closer strategic partnership, both EU and China have increased responsibilities, and they are manifested in the positive and pragmatic keynote of the China policy of the EU. However, there are still disparities between the two sides on such issues as trade, arms sale and human rights.

In view of prospects for EU-China ties for the incoming year, particular attention should be given to how EU will move out of its charter crisis. China, which favors and supports the integration of EU, holds that it is conducive to build a more balanced, multi-polar world with the presence of a still more resolved EU. The integration of EU was plunged into an abyss of crisis with the veto of the EU Charter respectively by France and the Netherlands in the past year, and there has been a subsequent uninterrupted debate on the future of the charter inside the EU.

Germany is to assume the rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2007, and the prospects, nevertheless, will remain not optimistic despite its desire to contribute itself more during the duration of its presidency. This may lead to increased differences inside the EU on the road of its integration, with a possible loss of confidence among a growing number of people in the EU Charter. Under such circumstances, all-out efforts should be made to guard against and curb trade protectionism from meddling in the equal and mutual-beneficial China-EU economic and trade ties.

There are numerous areas for cooperation between China and EU: Both sides can beef up their cooperation in the development of soft-strength undertakings; both sides are bent on multilateralism; and they share a lot of similarities in their development modes. EU is now working to realize its "Lisbon Program" whereas Chins is striving to fulfill its "11th Five-Year Program (2006-2010)", so both are able to make up each other's deficiency and jointly help to make the world more diversified. The Conference of (EU) Foreign Ministers adopted a resolution concerning China on Dec. 11 to openly praise China's concept for a "harmonious society" for the first time. Of course, down-to-earth substantial efforts have to be made to further increase their exchanges and cooperation, particularly with some concrete cooperative projects, and enhance people-people exchanges so as to go on reinforcing the strategic partnership between China and EU.

By the People's Daily Online and the author Ruan Zongze, deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies.