China calls for upgrading, improving cooperation with EU

China is ready to fully implement the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation to upgrade and improve ties, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said here on Friday.

He made the remarks while addressing diplomats at the ongoing 51st Munich Security Conference. "China-EU relations stay in good shape, with gratifying progress made in many areas," Yang said.

He said that Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to the EU headquarters and several European countries last year, during which the two sides decided to forge a partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilization.

"This has charted the course for the long-term growth of China-EU relations," said Yang.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also visited some European countries and achieved major progress in many areas of cooperation between China and Europe. In the past two years, several leaders of European countries have visited China, said Yang.

"Relations between the two sides are now on a fast track of growth," he noted.

2015 is a special year, which marks the 40th anniversary of China-EU relations, according to Yang. He pointed out that the Chinese economy has entered a new normal, shifting from high speed growth to medium-to-high growth.

Its growth model is shifting from one based on size and speed to one based on quality and efficiency, and the growth is driven more by innovation than by input of factors and investment.

"This will not only upgrade the Chinese economy and bring about its sustainable and healthy growth, but also provide more development opportunities for other countries," Yang said.

Europe's reform measures to stabilize its economy, meet challenges and boost competitiveness have achieved initial progress. All this has created more opportunities and greater space for boosting China-Europe cooperation, Yang said.

Taking the occasion of the 40th anniversary of China-EU relations as an opportunity, Yang pledged that China will deepen China-EU high-level exchanges, enhance relations with the EU and its member states, and improve multi-tiered and wide-ranging dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.

China is ready to fully implement the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation, strengthen their cooperation in building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, he said.

China is also ready to work with the EU to take mutual steps to facilitate people-to-people ties and increase mutual understanding and friendship between their peoples, and "this will strengthen social and popular support for China-EU relations," he said.

"We are convinced that with joint efforts of the two sides, China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership will acquire greater international influence," Yang said. Endit