BRUSSELS -- The upcoming 17th Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing is of importance to the world, President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering said here Thursday.

"This is an important event in China for the country and for the world." Poettering said in an interview with Xinhua.

On the issue of climate change, Pottering said, "We need an agreement on the so-called post-Kyoto process, and we need to defend our environment," adding that China's cooperation is very important.

Poettering said he hoped the European Union and China would cooperate in this field and "the congress will make a contribution to this cooperation."

On the Taiwan issue, Poettering said, "the European Parliament as a whole defends the one-China policy."