The European Union (EU) and China held a seminar in Brussels on Monday on regional policy as part of the EU event of Open Days, which will last from Monday through Thursday.
A Chinese delegation, headed by Vice Minister from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Du Ying, attended the seminar, the second of it kind.
The first EU-China regional seminar was held in May 2006 in China.
Addressing the gathering, Danuta Huebner, EU's Commissioner for Regional Policy, said that the partnership between China and the EU "is strong and growing."
"Now we are ready to launch a comprehensive research activity on regional policy within the framework of our dialogue," the commissioner added.
"Already today many European regions directly cooperate with their Chinese counterparts. This is the best basis for our partnership which enhances the pool of experience and knowledge available to our regions and cities," Huebner noted.
The commissioner also listed some key common challenges "which may underpin this cooperation."
"Both China and the EU are confronted with large social, economic and territorial disparities," she said.
"Sustainable development, energy efficiency and climate change figure most prominently," Huebner stressed, adding that the urban- rural divide and the lack of development perspectives for large rural areas was also a challenge facing the two parties.
After the EU-China seminar on Monday, the Open Days seminars will also associate Brazil and Russia on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article