Respected MEP, Mr. Bogdan Golik, Mr. Karsten Hoppenstedt, President Dewitt of BCECC,

     Ladies and Gentlemen,

     It's such a pleasure to meet so many friends today. And it's more than a pleasure to be part of this launching, which is held pending some important events between China and Europe. My congratulations go to the Expertise Institute for EU-China Relations. I wish the institute great success and greater contribution to understanding, friendship and cooperation between China and Europe.

    Dear Friends,

    China started reform and opening-up 31 years ago, and has since then made tremendous achievements in development. China and the EU set up diplomatic relations 34 years ago, and have since then witnessed rapid growth of bilateral cooperation. Our relationship stands the test of times and becomes all-dimensional, wide-ranging and multi-layered. It has solid foundation and broad prospect. The reasons are as follows.

    First, we have converging interest. We share identical or similar views on multilateralism, global cooperation and peaceful resolution of international disputes. Our objectives are quite close on the issues of anti-terrorism, climate change and energy security. After the financial crisis hit us, we stood closer, supported each other and worked together for an early recovery of our economy and that of the world. We become tightly bound more than ever before.

    Secondly, we share common responsibility. Since mid twentieth century, the two most outstanding political movements on the Euro-Asia continent are: the integration of Europe, and the reform and opening-up of China. Today, the EU is the biggest organization of developed countries, while China is the biggest developing country. There is no conflict of fundamental interest between us, and we don't repeat the power cycle of rise and fall. What we have in common is the responsibility to improve our people's well-being, promote common development and maintain world peace and stability.

    Thirdly, we have every reason to cooperate. Both China and Europe boast ancient civilizations and splendid cultural heritage. Our exchange and cooperation date back deep in the history. We were so far apart, but we met on the Silk Road. Today, we are still quite apart in political system and sense of values, but we meet in dialogues, which produce better understanding. We are also apart in economic capacity, but we meet in cooperation projects which bring benefit to both sides. For others, we serve as the model that two different polities and cultures are able to live in harmony and flourish in parallel.

    Dear Friends,

    The world is undergoing profound changes. When the financial crisis hit our economy, it wrenched the international structure as well. I'm always of the view that against such background, China-EU relationship transcends its bilateral implication and takes on greater global and strategic importance. As we join hands in the campaign against the crisis, the world resonates with cry of confidence. I believe Dr. Javier Solana must agree with me when he says, EU-China relations should be one of the pillars of a new world order, and we should look at the major topics beneficial to EU-China relations to promote our partnership. To this end, we must move forward with our comprehensive and strategic partnership. To make this partnership work, we must adopt a historical and global vision rather than narrowing our sights on those cases of disagreement.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    China attaches great importance to the relations with the EU and views our partnership as a strategic anchor of our foreign relations. I'm happy to see our relations back on track after slight derailing last year. Early this year, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Europe on a Journey of Confidence. During G20 London summit, President Hu Jintao met a number of European leaders, which consolidated our mutual trust. Last month, the trade and investment delegation from China struck multi-billion dollar deals with some European companies. In ten days, Vice Premier Wang Qishan will come to Brussels for the second High-Level Economic Dialogue. In mid-May, the Eleventh China-EU Summit will be held in Prague.

    If anyone wonders how our cooperation serves our interest, a look at the statistics will give an answer. EU has been China's biggest trading partner since 2004 and the biggest export market since 2007. Last January, EU became China's largest source of import. EU is also China's largest technology supplier and fourth investor. The Chinese exports, because of its low cost and price, save each European family 300 Euros every year on  average. The European enterprises are selling products to China at a speed of 24 million dollars every hour.

    It is undeniable that we have different views on some issues. We need better communication and dialogue to resolve those disputes which arise from political, cultural and economic disparities. We need more discretion and wisdom to handle frictions on the issue of Tibet, Taiwan, trade and human rights. But we need, more than others, stronger will and courage to put aside the differences and pursue closer cooperation, so that we will be able to tide over the difficult time together and bring us and the world a better future.

    To make this happen, we must first of all, trust each other. Trust is the foundation of our relations. While the world changes, the strategic nature of our relationship remains unchanged. We share a strategic perspective on the international situation, a political commitment to stronger relationship and a common aspiration for closer cooperation. We should set up an objective view on each other and take the other's growth not as a threat but as an opportunity.

    Secondly, we must befriend each other. Friendship is the basis of our partnership. We should respect each other's core interest, especially sovereignty, territorial integrity and the national feelings. We could live together in harmony, if we treat the other as equals, seek more common ground and create good atmosphere for broadening our cooperation and upgrading our partnership.

    Thirdly, we must benefit each other. Mutual benefit is the essence of our cooperation. There were happy moments for the EU in the process of internal integration and external expansion. There were also difficult times. But China has all the times stood on the EU's side and welcome a greater role of the EU in international affairs. We hope that the EU will reciprocate by honoring its commitment to promoting EU-China partnership, supporting China's peaceful development and solving disputes through dialogue and consultations. 

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

    Isn't it true that we enjoy beautiful things not only created by ourselves but also by other people? There are many beautiful things created by Europe that China should learn to enjoy. But a peaceful, open, cooperative and prospering China is also a beautiful thing that Europe and world should enjoy. After all, the twenty first century is a century of communication and cooperation. It's the right time for China and the EU to build stronger trust, forge closer friendship and create greater benefit. I am confident that our relations will go longer, broader and deeper, and the relationship itself will become something exceptionally beautiful.

    Thank you.