UNITED NATIONS - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with a series of foreign leaders and senior diplomats here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meetings.

During his meeting with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, Yang said the China-EU relationship now faces an important opportunity to develop given the new circumstances. China is willing to further expand dialogue, exchanges and cooperation with the EU and its members.

He said China also welcomes Van Rompuy to come to China for the upcoming14th China-EU leaders' meeting and hopes the meeting can produce more practical results.

For his part, Van Rompuy said the EU attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides and that the EU believes the upcoming high-level meeting will be successful.

During talks with Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil, Yang said China recognizes the NTC as Libya's ruling authority and the representative of the Libyan people. China also supports Libya's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and development, he said.

China has provided and will consider to provide further assistance within its capacity, Yang said, adding that China hopes cooperation between China and Libya will resume and develop for the benefit of the people.

Jalil said the Libyan people respect the Chinese people and appreciate China's support in the Security Council and its assistance. Libya hopes to promote its ties with China, he said.

With China's rising international status and leading role in dealing with international affairs, any country desiring development would choose to develop good relations with China, he said.

While meeting his Cypriot counterpart Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, Yang said Cyprus is China's reliable friend and partner. China is willing to step up bilateral exchanges and high-level exchange visits, import more of Cyprus' predominant products, encourage more Chinese business investment and enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Kozakou Marcoullis said Cyprus regards China as its strategic partner and would like to strengthen cooperation with China. Cyprus has always adhered to the one-China policy and been devoted to promoting China-Europe relations, the Cypriot foreign minister said.

In meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Yang pointed out that China and Pakistan are friends and trusted partners. China is ready to work with Pakistan to expand cooperation, he said.

China's top diplomat also said China expresses its deep sympathy over the victims and property loss in the recent flooding in Pakistan and is willing to provide as much assistance as it can.

For her part, Khar said Pakistan is willing to boost cooperation with China in the areas of trade, energy, transportation, anti-terrorism and many others.

In meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis, Yang said it's necessary for China and Greece to continue high-level exchange visits, deepen economic and trade ties, and step up cooperation in such fields as shipping and tourism.

He said China supports Greece and other European countries' efforts in dealing with the global financial crisis and overhauling the financial system.

Lambrinidis said Greece cherishes its strategic partnership with China and their traditional friendship. Greece is willing to further strengthen cooperation in trade, shipping and other areas, the Greek foreign minister said, adding his country would also like to play a positive role in promoting Europe-China relations.