Backgrounder: Chronology of China-EU summits

The 15th China-EU summit is to be held in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday. The following is a rundown of the previous 14 China-EU summits.

In April 1998, the first China-EU summit was held in London between China's then-Premier Zhu Rongji, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain, which at the time held the rotating EU presidency, and Jacques Santer, the then-president of the European Commission.

After the summit, China and the EU issued a joint communique that vowed to forge a steady and long-term constructive partnership and hold the summit annually.

In December 1999, the second China-EU summit was held in Beijing. The two sides committed themselves to advancing their steady and long-term constructive partnership and to expanding and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in a variety of areas.

In October 2000, at the third China-EU summit in Beijing, the two sides exchanged views on such issues as China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the reinforcement of bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology and energy, and the promotion of dialogue on human rights.

In September 2001, the fourth China-EU summit was held in Brussels. Issues concerning the reinforcement of political dialogue, the expansion of economic and trade relations and exchanges of science and technology were discussed. They also considered cooperation in areas of environmental protection and energy, and joint efforts to crack down on human trafficking and illegal migration.

In September 2002, the fifth China-EU summit was held in Copenhagen. The two sides released a joint press communique calling for China and the EU to further expand and deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and push forward their comprehensive partnership.

In October 2003, the sixth China-EU summit was held in Beijing. The two sides decided to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership.

In December 2004, the seventh China-EU summit was held in The Hague. The two sides signed a series of documents, including a joint declaration on international non-proliferation and arms control.

In September 2005, the eighth China-EU summit was held in Beijing. During the meeting, the two sides issued a joint declaration on climate change, and signed a series of cooperative agreements involving areas such as transportation, environmental protection, space development, and the refurbishment of Beijing's Capital Airport.

In September 2006, the ninth China-EU summit was held in Helsinki. Focusing on long-term China-EU ties, Premier Wen Jiabao proposed to draft a cooperative agreement for a new China-EU partnership and start negotiations immediately on related issues. The proposal was welcomed by the EU side.

In November 2007, the 10th China-EU summit was held in Beijing. The two sides agreed to further enhance their political dialogue and consultation at all levels, and continue to maintain consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues. They also agreed to establish a vice-premier-level dialogue mechanism on trade and economy.

On May 20, 2009, the 11th China-EU summit was held in Prague. Premier Wen attended the meeting. The two sides signed three agreements on cooperation in clean energy, science and technology, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

On Nov. 30, 2009, the 12th China-EU summit was held in Nanjing, the capital of east China's Jiangsu province. Premier Wen attended the meeting. The two sides signed five cooperative documents covering technological cooperation, a near-zero emission coal utilization project, energy efficiency and quality in buildings, the sustainable development of China's trade and investment, and environmental management.

In October 2010, the 13th China-EU summit was held in Brussels and was attended by Wen. Both sides issued a joint communique after the summit.

In February 2012, China hosted the 14th China-EU summit in Beijing, with Wen attending the meeting. Both sides issued a joint communique after the summit.