On June 11, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (L) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Brussels, Belgium.

On June 11, 2008, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso met with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Brussels.

During the meeting, Yang pointed out that as the international situation and the international pattern are undergoing profound changes and China and EU should correctly grasp the trend of historical development and review bilateral ties from a strategic perspective. He urged both sides to formulate relevant policies by proceeding from the aspiration and fundamental interests of the two peoples and base China-EU ties on equality, mutual benefits and mutual respect. China is ready to enhance cooperation with the EU side in bilateral areas and strengthen communication and consultations on global and major international and regional issues. He suggested that both sides should jointly respond to challenges and properly handle differences to bring benefits to both peoples and make contributions to world peace, stability and development.

Echoing Yang's remarks, Barroso said the rapidly growing globalization covers various areas including economy, trade, trade, communications and science and technology. All countries in the world should join hands to push globalization towards a positive direction. Barroso praised China's achievements of reform, which he said makes China well adapted to globalization with the national strength growing continuously. The EU attaches great importance to the strategic partnership with China and values China's role in international affairs. The EU expects for constructive cooperation with China and hopes to enhance bilateral ties to a new level, he said.

On June 11, Secretary-General of the Council of the EU and High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Brussels, Belgium.

On the same day, Yang met with Secretary-General of the Council of the EU and High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. Yang expounded China's views on China-EU relations. He said that the Beijing Olympic Games, the 7th Asia-Europe summit and the 11th Sino-EU summit in Paris will be held this year, which would provide opportunities for China and the EU to expand cooperation and exchanges. China hopes the two sides would strengthen cooperation to make those events success, Yang said.

Solana said that EU and China have established a relatively sound cooperation mechanism and solid relations with increasing mutual understanding. China is playing an important role in international affairs and EU looks at ties with China from a strategic perspective and will continue to remain committed to deepening bilateral cooperation. Solana pledged the EU's cooperation on the events icnlduing the Beijing Olympic Games, the 7th Asia-Europe summit and the 11th Sino-EU summit in Paris, adding the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games is in line with the Olympic spirit, which is not only in the interests of the Olympic Family, but also beneficial to world peace, stability and development.

The two senior officials also exchanged views on a range of major international and regional issues.

On June 11, EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner (L) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Brussels, Belgium.

On the afternoon of the same day, Yang also met with EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner.