State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Beijing Tuesday with a
delegation from the Party of European Socialists (PES) headed by
the party's president Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.
Highlighting the important role played by China and the European
Union (EU), Tang said that China and the EU are both important
powers in the world and thus shoulder significant responsibility
for the peace, stability and prosperity of the world.
The two sides should handle bilateral relations from a long-term
and strategic perspective, Tang said, suggesting that the two
continue to consolidate strategic common understanding and expand
mutually beneficial cooperation.
"The two should address disputes and differences with the best
interests of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership in
mind," Tang noted.
He also spoke positively about the contribution made by the PES
to promote China-EU relations, expressing his hope that the party
could continue its efforts to boost bilateral ties and strengthen
the exchange of information and cooperation with the Chinese
side.
Echoing Tang's view, Rasmussen highlighted the achievements that
China has made during its social and economic construction,
promising that the PES would contribute to the development of the
EU-China relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on international issues such
as the Middle East and Darfur.
Before meeting with Tang, Rasmussen also met with Wang Jiarui,
head of the International Department of the Communist Party of
China (CPC) Central Committee on Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2007)
