(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-25 20:00

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso jointly announced here Friday the start of the Sino-EU high-level economic and trade dialogue.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with the European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 25, 2008. [Xinhua]

Wen and Barroso made the announcement at a press conference here after talks.

The dialogue will be co-hosted by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson on Friday afternoon.

In his two-hour long talk with Barroso, Wen said that the Sino-EU high-level economic and trade dialogue would become an important platform to realize mutual benefits and joint success.

Wen said the EU is China's largest partner for economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation, and that Sino-EU practical cooperation has brought about great benefits for both sides.

China and EU have established over 40 dialogue and consultation channels in politics, economy, finance, technology, energy and education, among others.

"It was in the common interests of both sides to strengthen cooperation between China and the EU," said Wen.

He noted that mutual benefits between the two sides greatly outweigh the contradictions and differences, and with respect and trust, the China-EU relationship would have to be further developed.

Wen said understanding and trust between EU and China have been greatly strengthened in the past decade, and they will be further reinforced in the upcoming dialogue.

Wen and Barroso also reached extensive consensus on various areas during their talks.

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