On July 25, 2010, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said mutual trust, support and enhanced cooperation are needed in the development of Sino-EU relations. Yang made the remark during talks with his Austrian counterpart Michael Spindelegger.

During the talks, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on China-EU relations. Yang said China and the European Union, while the biggest developing country and the biggest bloc of developed countries respectively, are also two major economies in the world. The two sides have neither fundamental conflict of interests, nor unresolved historical issues. Both sides believe in multilateralism and cultural diversity. Both support free trade. The two sides share broad common interests in tackling global climate change, driving world economy towards an early recovery, and improving global governance. China and Europe are major players in promoting world peace and development, Yang noted.

Yang pointed out China and Europe are currently each in their own vital phase of development. With the international situation going through profound changes and ever-growing global challenges of various sorts, China and Europe need mutual trust, support and strengthened cooperation, Yang added.

Yang emphasized China deems EU an important pole of the world and firmly supports the European integration and EU’s measures to stabilize economy. China attaches great importance to the development of comprehensive strategic partnership with EU and is willing to make joint efforts with EU in the following three aspects in order to improve the partnership.

Firstly, keep up high-level visits and communications, strengthening mutual political trust. Secondly, strengthen parliamentary, party and people-to-people exchanges, deepening mutual understanding and consolidating public opinion and social foundations in the development of Sino-EU relations. Thirdly, comprehensively push forward pragmatic cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, high and new technology, green economy, standing together against trade protectionism, so as to achieve a mutually beneficial and win-win situation.

Yang also noted that the 13th meeting between Chinese and EU leaders, planned by both sides, and due to be held in October, is an important opportunity to define future Sino-EU relations. China would like to strengthen communication with EU, so that the meeting could achieve positive results.

Spindelegger said Austria was willing to make positive contributions to enhancing the development of Sino-EU relations.