Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister (FM) Yang Jiechi said here Wednesday that China and the European Union (EU) should work together to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to a new high.
Delivering a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, the Chinese FM said, "The common challenges we face and the common responsibilities we carry require us to work together to meet the challenges, promote peace, and pursue development."
With over 30 years of development, relations between China and Europe have now reached an unprecedented level, both in depth and in breadth, despite our differences in ideology and social system, he said.
Politically, bilateral relations have gone through three stages-- from constructive partnership to comprehensive partnership and then to today's comprehensive strategic partnership, Yang said.
A few days ago, the 10th China-EU Leaders' Meeting was successfully held in Beijing, during which the two sides reached broad agreement, he added.
On the economic and trade front, Yang said the trade volume between China and Europe has increased 100 times in 30 years, adding that the EU has been China's largest trading partner for three years.
China-EU cooperation now covers more than 40 sectors and the two sides have maintained good consultation and coordination on U.N. reform, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Middle East, Africa and other international issues, he said.
Yang said he was confident about China-EU future relations for five reasons:
First, the two sides do not have a conflict of fundamental interests or outstanding historical issues.
Second, China and Europe follow similar principles in addressing international issues.
Third, China and Europe are both in a crucial stage of development and interests between the two increasingly overlap, and China and Europe can offer more opportunities to each other.
Fourth, China and Europe need to work together to meet global challenges. Cooperation between China and Europe in responding to these challenges not only serves the interests of both sides, but is also conducive to international peace, stability and development.
Last but not least, the two sides are attracted to each other's culture.
Yang said, "We should make the best use of the aforementioned opportunities to elevate the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to a new high," adding the two sides should make greater efforts in the following aspects:
First, to build stronger political mutual trust. As two important forces in the world, China and Europe shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.
Second, to upgrade the level of practical cooperation. The growth of Sino-European relations serves the immediate, long-term and fundamental interests of both sides.
Third, to promote greater mutual understanding. Understanding is the prerequisite and basis for successful cooperation.
Fourth, to properly manage differences. China and European countries differ in national conditions, history, culture and traditions, and are at different levels of development.
In his speech, Yang also elaborated China's foreign policy.
Yang arrived here Tuesday at the invitation of his British counterpart David Miliband for a three-day official visit.
Source: Xinhua
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