Hu calls for enhanced dialogue with EU

BEIJING—Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Friday that he hoped China and the European Union (EU) would enhance its dialogue and consultation to ensure the healthy and stable development of the China-EU all-round strategic partnership.
Hu made the remarks in a meeting with EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. He said it was not only in line with both sides’ fundamental interests, but also conducive to the peace, stability and development of the world to further cement and step up China-EU ties under current circumstances.
“I hope the two sides would keep high-level visits and enhance dialogue and consultation, increase understanding and recognition for the policy trends of each other,” Hu told Barroso. Hailing the development of China-EU cooperation in recent years, Hu called to promote exchange and cooperation in various sectors, deepen coordination on key multilateral affairs and global issues, and properly handle and solve major concerns or disputes between the two.
Barroso said maintaining robust EU-China ties were vital to both sides and the international society. It needed efforts from both China and the EU to safeguard international energy, finance, food safety and stability and solve global issues of climate change, sustainable development and terrorism, said the former Portuguese prime minister.
He said the EU was committed to developing a strategic partnership with China and was willing to solve disputes through dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and constructive spirit. Barroso expressed appreciation for China’s consistent support for the EU integrity, and wished the Beijing Olympics a success.
Vice Premier Wang Qishan attended the meeting. Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with visiting EU Commissioners on Friday, exchanging views frankly and deeply on current EU-China relations and issues of common concern. Dai met with EU Commissioner on external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Commissioner on development and humanitarian aid Louis Michel here.
The EU guests reiterated the position of adhering to the one-China policy and the respect of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Waldner and Miche were here among a big delegation of EU Commission led by EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Wang Jiarui, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met here on Thursday with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Union’s Commissioner on external relations.

—Xinhua