Monday, September 5 2005 16:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: China and European Union today (Sept 5, 2005) vowed to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership while emphasising on smooth development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

"Under the new circumstances of global multilateralism and economic globalisation, the deepening of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership is of profound importance to maintaining world peace, promoting common development and realizing mutual benefits," Chinese President Hu Jintao told the visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Blair, who also holds the EU rotating presidency, arrived in Beijing yesterday along with EU Commission President Manuel Barroso and EU Council Secretary General Javier Solana to attend the eighth China-EU summit.

"The EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership is very important, not only in bilateral trade and economic cooperation, but also in our cooperation in important political issues of the world," Blair was quoted by sources as saying.

Enthusiastic about China's development as it brings 'opportunities' to the EU, Barraso said that he hopes the two sides would promote the smooth development of economic and trade cooperation in a 'friendly, flexible and mutual understanding' attitude.

Noting that China and the EU are 'two important forces' on the present International stage, Hu expressed hope that the two sides will enhance mutual trust, expand consensus and promote the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

China-EU ties were getting more mature, Hu said adding, "the two sides kept frequent high-level dialogues and consultation and the bilateral trade volume has seen continuous substantive increases."

China and the EU has made new progress in their cooperation on some important projects and kept close contacts and coordination on major international and regional issues, Hu, also the General Secretary of Communist Party of China, said.

"We appreciate EU's adherence to the one-China policy and its efforts in facilitating bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation," Hu said.

He said China highly values Sino-British ties and is ready to join hands with Britain to further deepen the Sino-British comprehensive strategic partnership.

"China hopes Britain will play a positive role in advancing the bilateral ties during its holding of EU rotating presidency," he said.

Blair agreed with Hu's remarks noting that he hopes the two sides will make joint efforts to beef up bilateral ties.

"The EU pursues one-China policy and the two sides have conducted fruitful cooperation in trade, education and environmental protection, and still enjoy broad prospects, Blair said.

During the China-EU summit scheduled here this afternoon, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the EU leaders will exchange views on the further development of the China-EU all-round strategic partnership as well as international and regional issues of common concern.