Topic: Wen Jiabao attended the 11th China-EU Leaders’ Meeting.
> > > > Enter the domestic channel.
 |
On May 20th, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of the State Council, China met with reporters after holding the 11th China-EU Leaders’ Meeting with Czech President Klaus (centre) and European Commission President Barroso (right), which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Weishe
Xinhuanet Prague, May 20-the State Council’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao attended the 11th China-EU Leaders’ Meeting in Prague, Czech Republic on the 20th, and after the meeting, he met with reporters together with Czech President Klaus and European Commission President Barroso. The full text of Premier Wen Jiabao’s speech at the meeting with reporters is as follows:
Journalists and friends:
Good afternoon! Nice to meet you all. This is my second visit to Europe in five months. During the Spring Festival in China in January this year, I visited the EU headquarters and four European countries, and attended the annual meeting in Davos in winter. I noticed that some media called that visit a "journey of confidence". Indeed, what I said most was that in the face of crisis, confidence is more important than gold and currency. An important achievement of that visit was that I agreed with the leaders of the European Union in Brussels to resume the China-EU summit as soon as possible. I flew for ten hours this morning to attend the meeting as scheduled. Because there are still many urgent things to do in China, it will take ten hours to fly back to Beijing at night, and it will take twenty hours on the road. I just said at the beginning of the meeting that I came with sincerity, responsibility and confidence. This is from my heart and is also a real action. China people stress that words must be kept, actions must be carried out, and the friendship between countries ends with faith. I believe that the development of China-EU relations should also abide by this principle.
From the inception of the European Community to today, the European Union has 27 member States, and China has always welcomed and supported the construction of European integration. For decades, no matter what difficulties we encounter, China’s position has not changed. Six years ago, China and Europe announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is the result of joint efforts of both sides and a solemn commitment to the future and the international community. The development of China-EU relations conforms to the historical trend, meets the needs of the progress of the times, and benefits the Chinese and European people and the whole international community. I would like to mention in particular that the EU is China’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade volume reaching US$ 425.6 billion last year. In the past five years, EU exports to China have increased by more than 20% annually, and China has become one of the most important export markets of the EU in the world. Almost all large enterprises in EU countries have invested in China. They are the beneficiaries of China-EU cooperation and the witnesses of China’s reform and opening up. Both sides should strengthen their confidence, deepen cooperation and continue to move forward hand in hand.
At present, there are various opinions about the development prospect and role of China in the world. Here, I want to clarify three points responsibly: First, the basis of China-EU relations is mutual respect and equal treatment, which was, is and will be the case in the future. Second, China has made great achievements in its development, but it is still a developing country. It will take a long time for China to realize modernization, and it will take generations of hard work. Third, China adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace, pursues an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win, and is willing to develop friendly and cooperative relations with all countries and will never seek hegemony. It is impossible for one or two countries or groups of big countries to solve global problems. Multipolarization and multilateralism are the general trend and the will of the people. Some people say that the world will form a pattern of co-governance between China and the United States, which is groundless and wrong.
During the meeting, I pointed out that the core of China-EU relations is strategic and comprehensive, and the key is to keep pace with the times. Under the current complicated and changeable international political and economic situation, China and Europe should adhere to the basic orientation of strategic partners, take expanding pragmatic cooperation as the main line, and focus on keeping pace with the times to promote the comprehensive, in-depth and sustainable development of bilateral relations. To this end, we should give full play to the strategic leading role of the China-EU leaders’ meeting in the development of bilateral relations, and attach importance to and improve the quality and efficiency of the meeting; Give full play to the role of high-level economic and trade dialogue and various consultation mechanisms to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields; Give full play to the stabilizing role of the legal framework and reach an agreement on the negotiation and signing of the China-EU partnership and cooperation agreement as soon as possible. I emphasize that the most important thing in China-EU strategic cooperation is to adhere to the principles of mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, take care of each other’s major concerns, and properly handle sensitive issues, so that the relationship between the two sides will not be affected by one incident. It is hoped that the EU will recognize China’s market economy status as soon as possible and lift the ban on arms sales to China, which is beneficial to the EU and China-EU relations.
I exchanged views with the European side on how to deal with the international financial crisis. In dealing with the crisis, China and Europe share the same interests and have a broad consensus. We need Qi Xin to work together to overcome the difficulties and contribute to the early recovery of the world economy. After my visit to Europe in January, China immediately sent a trade and investment promotion delegation to Europe, which produced positive results. I announced that China will send another purchasing delegation to Europe in the near future to increase its imports from Europe. China is willing to further promote mutual investment with the EU, strengthen cooperation in the fields of small and medium-sized enterprises, trade facilitation, science and technology, transportation and postal services, and oppose any form of trade and investment protectionism with practical actions. It is hoped that the EU will relax export restrictions on high-tech products to China, foster new growth points of China-EU economic and trade cooperation, and promote the sustained growth of China-EU trade. China is willing to strengthen dialogue, close communication and coordination with the EU in the fields of macroeconomic policies and finance, and jointly promote progress in the reform of the international financial system. Just now, China and Europe signed three cooperation agreements on energy, science and technology and small and medium-sized enterprises, which are three important areas for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe. Both sides should closely cooperate and earnestly implement them.
I gave the European side a comprehensive introduction to China’s policy proposals and specific measures to deal with climate change, stressing that despite the impact of the international financial crisis, the international community’s determination to deal with climate change cannot be shaken and its actions cannot be relaxed. China is willing to work with the European side to adhere to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and promote positive results at the Copenhagen conference at the end of the year. I also exchanged views with the European side on energy issues and some international issues.
I think the leaders’ meeting is fruitful and has achieved the purpose of enhancing mutual trust, promoting cooperation and deepening relations. The development of China-EU relations reflects the mutually beneficial cooperation between the largest developing country and the largest group of developed countries, the friendly exchanges between the two ancient civilizations, and the frank dialogue between different social systems. Achieving common and harmonious development between China and Europe is fundamentally conducive to the harmonious and sustainable development of the world. This is the common responsibility and mission of China and Europe. China is full of confidence in its own future, the development of the EU and the future of bilateral relations. China is willing to be good friends and partners with the European side, promote development through harmony, seek win-win cooperation and make greater contributions to the cause of human progress.
Finally, I would like to thank the Czech side, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, for its extensive preparations and warm reception to the Chinese delegation. I look forward to the 12th China-EU Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing at the end of this year.
Thank you!
Related links: