On the afternoon of May 16, 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with visiting European Council President Herman Van Rompuy at the Great Hall of the People.
Hu said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than three decades ago, China-EU relations have withstood the tests of the changing international situation and made substantial progress. Both sides have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, effective dialogue at all levels and fruitful cooperation in various areas. They have also kept close communication and coordination in major international and regional issues. The development of China-EU relations has promoted the development and prosperity of both sides and has a far-reaching impact on international relations. "China always treats China-EU relations in accordance with the development of the times and from a strategic perspective," Hu said. "We will work with the EU to further outline the overall development of China-EU relations and lift China-EU comprehensive and strategic partnership to a new level."
Van Rompuy said the European Council attaches great importance to developing relations with China. Van Rompuy said the EU would like to work with China to boost bilateral ties and the global economy as a whole in the spirit of cooperation, mutual trust and mutual respect.
Hu said, in the political field, the two sides should keep high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic dialogues and policy communication, deepen coordination and cooperation on bilateral and multilateral affairs and work to develop an equal partnership featuring mutual respect, friendship and mutual trust in a bid to push China-EU relations for new progress. In the economic sector, Hu urged both sides to seize opportunities, tap potential and enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, finance, innovation, research, environmental protection and new energy. He also called for efforts to foster new growth areas and to advance the cooperative partnership that features reciprocity, win-win situations and common development. "China will continue to provide convenience for investments from EU firms," said Hu, adding that "the EU should take proactive measures to expand export of high-tech products to China, recognize China's market economy status and create a loose policy environment for Chinese firms to invest in EU countries so as to push China-EU economic and trade cooperation to one new level after another." In the people-to-people and cultural area, he called for increased dialogue and cooperation on culture, education, research, think tanks and media and urged both sides to conduct exchange activities in various forms to deepen understanding and friendship between the two sides. Both sides should well hold the Year of Youth Exchange and the Year of Intercultural Dialogue and actively build the distinctive harmonious partnership with mutual exchange to inject new vitality into China-EU friendship.
Van Rompuy said since the EU and China decided to establish the comprehensive strategic partnership, bilateral cooperation has been expanding both in depth and width. The EU and China, both economic and political partners, have a lot in common despite differences in terms of development stage and level. Bilateral exchanges have also been enhanced in the people-to-people and cultural areas. EU-China investment and trade cooperation has huge potential and there is a large space for bilateral cooperate in coping with climate change, finance, science, technology, urbanization and other areas. He said the EU will work with China to strengthen cooperation in various fields, jointly keep markets open, avoid protectionism and push the Doha round of World Trade Organization negotiations to produce outcomes as soon as possible.
Van Rompuy introduced the European integration and economic situation. He expressed his appreciation for China's contribution to helping maintain stability in the euro zone and promoting economic recovery in Europe.
Hu said China has always supported the European integration and welcomes the EU to play a more positive and constructive role in international affairs. EU is a major economy in the world as well as the biggest trade partner of China, he said, adding that "an economically stable and prosperous Europe is good for both the world and China." "Whether in the past, at present or in the future, China will always be a reliable cooperative partner of Europe," Hu said.
State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, MOC International Trade Representative & Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng and Head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union Song Zhe attended the talks.