FM says meeting with EU leaders "constructive"

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-29-2007 08:52

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (L) attends a press conference following a China-EU troika meeting with the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in Hamburg, Germany, on May 28, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Wu Xiaoling)

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has described his meeting with EU leaders as constructive and fruitful.

He said both sides should push forward their strategic partnership based on common interests. Yang Jiechi made the remarks at a news conference in Hamburg, joined by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and EU ministers.

Yang Jiechi said China and Europe have "a vast potential to tap" their bilateral relationship. He said Europe and China have many common interests and share similar views on numerous international and regional issues.

Yang Jiechi said, "Together with our colleagues from the European Union, we discussed China-EU relations and major international and regional issues of common interest. Both sides agreed that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU continues to move forward."

Addressing Europe's trade deficit with China, Yang said China is not deliberately seeking a trade surplus. He said China hopes Europe will further relax the trade restrictions on high-tech transfers to China. He said both sides should always seek to expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, and solve disputes through dialogue.