Xi calls for building four major partnerships with EU

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for forging four major partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization between China and the European Union (EU). [Special coverage]

Xi made the call during a meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy in Brussels on furthering the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership under new circumstances.

The Chinese leader said the two sides should view their ties from a strategic perspective, combine their forces, markets and civilizations to build the aforementioned four partnerships so as to add new impetus into bilateral cooperation, and make greater contribution to world development and prosperity.

The past nearly 40 years have witnessed the China-EU relationship evolving into a comprehensive one that is highly interdependent, Xi said, noting that bilateral relations not only matter to the two sides, but also have a major impact on the world's political and economic landscape.

China views the EU from a strategic perspective, attaches great importance to it, unwaveringly supports Europe's integration, and is willing to expand and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU, Xi said, stressing that it is the important message he has repeatedly expressed during his ongoing Europe tour.

He said the China-EU strategic cooperation has a bright future and both sides should not only cooperate at the bilateral level, but also work together within the framework of the Asia-Europe relationship, and join efforts in dealing with global challenges.

First, China and the EU should build a partnership for peace, and take the lead in choosing the path of peaceful development, Xi said, lauding the important strategic consensus reached between the two sides in constructing a multi-polar world.

Both sides should respect the social system independently chosen by each other, take care of each other's core interests and support each other in adhering to the path of peaceful development, he said.

Second, Xi said, China and the EU should build a partnership for growth and provide each other with opportunities of development.

The two sides should conclude the negotiations on an investment accord at an early date, start the feasibility study on a free trade agreement, and jointly improve the quality and level of China-EU trade, he noted.

The Chinese president also expressed the hope that the EU can expand its hi-tech trade with China.

Third, China and the EU should form a partnership in carrying out reforms, and learn from and support each other, Xi said.

At present, both China's and the EU's reforms have entered the deep-water zone, Xi said, adding that the two sides should enhance exchange, share experiences and deepen cooperation in areas such as macro-economic policies, social management, public policy, agriculture and rural areas, employment and people's livelihood, and environmental protection.

Forth, China and the EU should forge a partnership for civilization, and provide nourishment for each other's progress, Xi said.

Through equal dialogue, the two sides should increase mutual understanding, enhance exchange and cooperation in the areas of culture, media and tourism, increase the number of students they send to each other, and jointly support the research work on China-EU ties, Xi said.

For his part, Van Rompuy hailed Xi's visit to the EU headquarters as an embodiment of the solid foundation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides.

According to Van Rompuy, Europe is on its way out of a recession and has shown signs of recovery, and the EU will further advance reform and strengthen its economic competitiveness in an all-round way.

The EU is grateful for China's consistent support for the euro and European integration, regards as important the new opportunities created by China's opening up, and wishes to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with China, Van Rompuy said.

The EU is ready to speed up negotiations on its investment pact and free trade agreement with China, and expand bilateral cooperation in urbanization, sustainable development and battling climate change, said the European Council president.

He added that the EU supports the development of the emerging economies, including China, and is willing to join hands with China to build a more open world economy.

Brussels is the last leg of Xi's ongoing four-nation Europe trip. Before visiting the EU headquarters and Belgium, he has travelled to the Netherlands, France and Germany.