(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-28 15:46

Both sides agree that they have made great headway in cooperation in many areas, such as scientific research, education and energy.

The EU hailed the full development of partnership with China following the successful conclusion of the 10th China-EU Leaders' Meeting in Beijing on November 28.

In a statement, the European Commission said the summit "reflected on the EU's positive relationship with China, but also raised current issues such as climate change, security of energy supply and African development."

Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso "insisted on the need to reassure the public about China, which should not be perceived as a threat," the statement said.

The two sides also expressed satisfaction with "the progress of the negotiations" on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which started in January and aims to replace the outdated 1985 Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement.

Both sides have agreed to properly handle the disputes through dialogue and negotiation to seek a balance of trade and push forward China-EU relations to a new level.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has pledged to "continue to put in place measures aiming at expanding imports and promoting more balanced bilateral trade."

Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates, whose country holds the current EU presidency, said the EU-China strategic partnership benefits Europe, China and the world, and that the EU appreciates China's active role in solving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the Iranian nuclear issue and other major international and regional issues.

Barroso said the EU hopes to continuously add momentum to the EU-China dialogue mechanism.

In November, French President Sarkozy visited China and further enhanced bilateral ties. Sarkozy said the world needed China and that France would support China's development, vowing to continue to promote EU-China ties.

EU REFOCUSES ATTENTION ON AFRICA

Following decades of neglect, Europe refocused its attention on Africa in 2007, aiming to establish a special relationship with its former colonies.

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