(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-25 21:20

BEIJING - A senior Chinese official on Friday proposed three principles in effort to boost relations between China and the European Union (EU).

Lu Yongxiang, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, addressed the opening of a forum on China-EU relations here. He said the two sides should give full respect to the paths they choose for development and make efforts to shelf the differences in regards of ideology, culture, tradition and social system.

"We should expand dialogue and exchange schemes to boost mutual understanding and trust," the senior legislator said.

He called on the two sides to pay enough attention to their respective concerns in pursuit of the mutual benefits through fair competition and reciprocal cooperation that was based on the principle of equality.

"We should also deal with the differences between the two sides in a candid and tolerant manner."

Lu noted China valued its ties with the EU, regarding it as a very important player in the international community, and expected the organization to play a more constructive role in world affairs.

"China and the EU have established a solid foundation to develop ties and share a common language on many issues," he said, stressing that the furthered strategic partnership between the two sides served the fundamental interests between the two peoples and facilitated to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the world.

The forum, hosted by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, focused on the discussions of the economic and bilateral ties between China and the EU, as well as the cultural diversities.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the former French Prime Minister, and French Senate President Christian Poncelet also attended the forum. Raffarin applauded the achievements China had made during its economic development, suggesting the two sides strengthen the exchange and expand the common understanding.

He also expressed hope the EU member states could further integrate on foreign policies concerning China and the two could score a balanced development of relations in fields of politics, economics and culture.