国内英语新闻:China, EU vow to deepen cooperation

BRUSSELS, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) on Friday vowed to further enhance their partnership and deepen cooperation in various fields.

    In a joint declaration issued after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Brussels, the two sides emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership in face of globalization and the current volatile international situation.

    The document says that the China-EU relationship has gone beyond the bilateral domain and is increasingly of global strategic significance. "Both sides are of the view that it is imperative to further improve the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, which reflects the common wishes of the two sides and are in their interests," says the declaration.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mirek Topolanek, whose country currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 30, 2009.

They vowed to enhance mutual understanding through dialogues, properly address differences, expand and deepen cooperation in various fields on the basis of equality, mutual trust and respect.

    China and the EU also agreed to take positive steps to enhance coordination on macro-economic policies in order to overcome the financial crisis and to promote liberalization of trade and investment. Both sides emphasized that an open, free and fair trade and investment environment and the creation of business opportunities are important means to tackle the financial and economic crises. In this context, China and the EU are looking forward to the next high-level forum on economics and trade, which is expected to be held in April 2009. They expressed the hope that the dialogue can further promote trade and economic links.

    China and the EU also committed themselves to global challenges such as climate change, energy supply and food security. They vowed to push for positive results at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao speaks at a joint press conference with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso held after their talks at European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 30, 2009.

They agreed to strengthen cooperation in crisis management, to help implement the UN's Millennium Development Goals and to promote sustainable development across the world.

    China and the EU promised to enhance coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues, to promote the UN's prominent role in dealing with international affairs and advocate the resolution of disputes through dialogue, says the document.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) speaks as European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso listens at the joint press conference held after their talks at European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 30, 2009.

The declaration says the leaders recalled the path of development of China-EU relations and were happy with the achievements of bilateral cooperation. China-EU relations have not only promoted development in the two regions, but also made important contributions to world peace and prosperity, says the declaration.

    During his visit to the EU headquarters, the second after his first trip to Brussels in 2004, Wen held talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and met EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana. He also had a luncheon with EU leaders, including Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, whose country holds the current EU presidency.

    The two sides announced that a China-EU summit will be held as soon as possible. The summit, which was originally scheduled for December last year, was postponed after French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country at that time held the rotating EU presidency, met the ** Lama, who is regarded as a separatist by China.

    China and the EU also signed nine agreements, covering health, customs, education, intellectual property rights, environment and civil aviation.