Martin Schulz, chairman of the Socialist Group in the European
Parliament, praised China on Tuesday at a press conference for its
"constructive role" in the international community, and expressed
the wish to strengthen bilateral cooperation for the "common goal
of world multilateralism".
"These are risky times we are living in. Both Europe and China
should contribute to world peace, and China plays a constructive
role in peaceful solutions to international conflicts," Schulz
said.
Schulz and his delegation are in China at the invitation of the
Communist Party of China (CPC).
Schulz expressed his hope that the Socialist Group could
strengthen cooperation with the CPC in various fields, such as
politics, economy, environment and sustainable development.
"We will be prepared to cooperate with China not only on the
economic level, but also and especially on the political level
to?strengthen multilateralism in the world," Schulz said.
Schulz said he is very impressed by the economic progress China
has made during recent years.
"China is a strong market where European companies have many
opportunities, just as Chinese companies have many chances in trade
exchanges with Europe. China's solid development is in the interest
of both China and the European Union," Schulz said.
During a meeting with China's top legislator Wu
Bangguo on Tuesday in the Great Hall of the People, Schulz
reiterated that the EU adheres to the one-China policy.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National
People's Congress (NPC), said that China and the EU both play
significant roles in the international community and their
all-round strategic partnership serves their common interests and
helps promote world peace and development.
The EU is China's largest trading partner and the two sides have
forged good communication channels and coordination on significant
international issues, Wu noted.
Wu spoke positively about the friendly ties between the Chinese
NPC and the European Parliament and the constructive role played by
the the Socialist Group in promoting Sino-EU relations.
Wu, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the
Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central
Committee, voiced the CPC's readiness to foster relations with
various parties, including the Socialist Group, in the European
Parliament.
(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)