A group of European diplomats on Tuesday called for enhanced dialogues with China to boost strategic partnership and avoid misunderstandings, in a bid to jointly weather the current global slump.

A total of 30 diplomats from 25 European countries as well as the EU Commission, EU Council and the European Parliament are hereto attend a workshop held by the Chinese Foreign Ministry from June 7-17.

They have called upon the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Commerce, State Commission of Development and Reform and Beijing University, discussing with officials and scholars the topics including EU-China cooperation in standing against the crisis, trade ties as well as energy cooperation.

"The workshop offers excellent opportunity for us to better understand the reality and achievements of China nowadays," said Robert Uzuna from the Romanian Foreign Ministry.

Besides Beijing, the diplomats also visited China's Jiangsu Province.

Calling Jinagsu a leading driving factor for the Chinese economy, Uzuna said the choice of visiting the province is a good one, which allowed them to get good understanding about China's economy and an overall image of the country.

Uzuna said he was glad to see that China's stimulus package had taken good effect. "I am very confident that EU and China are able to work together in redefining the international financial architecture and concluding the WTO Doha Round negotiation."

Underscoreing the significance of EU-China ties, the diplomats called on better mutual understandings through dialogues and exchanges.

Adriana Garrido from the European Commission External Relations Directorate-General, said the two sides ought to learn to better understand each other and increase dialogues which serves as basis to address issues of common concern and to prevent or solve conflicts.

"To develop strategic partnership does not mean there is no problem between us, but we can talk about everything," said Garrido, adding dialogues are solid foundation for EU-China relations.

Currently EU is China's largest trading partner and export market. The trade volume between both sides hit 425.6 billion US dollars in 2008.

Source:Xinhua