China and the European Union (EU) are enjoying their best relations
ever in history, said Chinese President Jiang Zemin Wednesday.
The two sides are sharing the same views on more and more
international issues, said Jiang when he met with Christopher
Patten, a member of the EU's External Relations Commission.
Economic and trade cooperation has been expanded and exchanges in
cultural and scientific fields promoted between the two sides,
Jiang said.
He
pointed out that China always regards its relations with the EU
from the strategic height and long-term perspective.
Both China and Europe have a long-term history and splendid
culture, and should get along well with each other, he said, adding
that the two sides should further cooperation in all fields, and
push forward their all-round, long-term and stable partnership.
Patten agreed to Jiang's view on relations between the EU and
China, saying that China has one quarter of the population of the
world, and its progress benefits the EU and the world as a
whole.
He
called the cooperation between the EU and China a good example of
international cooperation, saying that enhancing exchanges with
China is a correct choice of the EU.
EU Regards Ties with China as Priority: Patten
Visiting European Union Commissioner Christopher Patten said in
Beijing Wednesday that the EU-China relationship is of vital
importance, and the EU regards its relations with China in the
political, economic, cultural and environmental protection fields
as priority ones.
Patten made the remark while delivering a speech prior to a
reception sponsored by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in
China in his honor.
He
expressed the EU Commission's willingness to expand EU-China trade
and economic relations, saying that about 400 small and
medium-sized European enterprises will come to China later this
year to seek business opportunities.
He
said the EU will work closely with China in the new round of WTO
negotiations to ensure that it becomes a more effective
international organization.
He
added that the EU Commission hopes to extend its cooperation into
other areas such as space science, higher education, environmental
protection and cracking down on international crime.
Patten emphasized that China's development will not pose a threat
to the rest of the world, saying that it will be a real threat if
China does not succeed.
He
admitted that there exist some disagreements between the two sides,
expressing the hope that these disagreements will abate over the
years, and will not cast a shadow over the EU-China
relationship.
"There is on both sides a recognition that the success of our
relationship is just too important to allow our occasional
disagreements to destroy what we are committed to, that is, to make
sure the world becomes more prosperous and more stable," Patten
said.
(Xinhua News
Agency April 3, 2002)