Europeans express optimism about Party's leadership

European political figures, business leaders and academics expressed their congratulations on the re-election of General Secretary Xi Jinping on Wednesday, shortly after Xi and other six leaders were elected as members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

They conveyed the feeling that under Xi's leadership, China will expand its diplomatic dimensions by deepening international openness, engagement and cooperation.

"I'd like to congratulate President Xi on his re-election and welcome his understanding that as a global community we need to cooperate," said Karl-Heinz Lambertz, president of the European Committee of the Regions, during an interview with China Daily.