On January 7, 2009, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held a telephone conversation upon request with Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg of the Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating European Union (EU) presidency. Both sides exchanged views on further promoting the development of China-EU relations in 2009.

Schwarzenberg first extended congratulations on the Chinese New Year, expressing hope that China will enjoy prosperity and development in the Year of the Ox. He said the relations between China and the EU have gone beyond bilateral context and acquired global significance. Schwarzenberg said the EU attaches great importance, and is actively committed, to the development of the EU-China all-round strategic partnership. Currently, the EU and China confront broad global issues and the two sides share the responsibility to strengthen cooperation and work together to address these issues, he said. As the holder of the EU's rotating presidency, the Czech Republic is willing to join other EU members to cooperate closely with China for the positive progress of EU-China relations in 2009, the Czech minister added.

Yang, for his part, said China has always attached importance to the EU's role in international affairs and is actively pushing forward the development of the China-EU all-round strategic partnership. After over 30 years of development, China and the EU have seen their cooperation enter an all-round, wide-ranging and multi-layered phase, Yang said. Against the backdrop of the complex and volatile international political and economic situation, China and the EU face common global challenges including the international financial crisis, climate change and non-traditional security threats, he said. Strengthening dialogue, cooperation and coordination not only conforms to the fundamental interests of two sides, but is also conducive to promoting world peace and development, Yang added. On the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and all-win cooperation, as well as from a strategic height and long-term point of view, China is willing to work together with EU members to strengthen mutual trust and deepen cooperation in efforts to promote the continued development of China-EU relations, noted Yang.