Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said yesterday that relations between
China and the European Union (EU) are developing positively, and
that much has been achieved since the fourth China-EU summit in
September 2001.
Tang made these remarks during his meet with EU Commissioner for
External Relations Christopher Patten.
China and the EU have had frequent political contacts and dialogues
at all levels, and have enjoyed fruitful cooperation in the areas
of science and technology, transportation, communications and
information, said Tang.
To
further enhance ties, the two sides are preparing for the fifth
China-EU summit, which, he said, will be successful.
According to Tang, the Chinese side has noticed that the EU
recently passed another document aiming to assist China's
development, following the document the EU passed last May about
its new policy towards China, and China appreciates the EU's
attitude.
Tang said China attaches great importance to the development of
China-EU relations, and is keen to see the relationship develop
smoothly in the new century.
Patten said the EU and China share many similar viewpoints and
common interests concerning major current international affairs and
the establishment of a multiple international mechanism.
And the EU is ready to strengthen political dialogue and
consultation with China, and further expand and deepen bilateral
cooperation in the areas of trade and economy, investment, science
and technology, and environmental protection.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional
issues of shared concern, such as the Asia-Europe meeting, and the
situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Afghanistan.
(Xinhua News
Agency April 3, 2002)