On April 25, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides exchanged views on China-EU relations and major global issues in an in-depth, candid manner and reached a lot of important consensus.

The past decade has witnessed deepening understanding and trust between China and EU, said Wen, adding that both sides have established an all-round, multi-level cooperation framework with enriched strategic partnership. China and the EU had established more than 40 dialogue and consultation channels in politics, economy, finance, technology, energy, culture and education, among others. Wen said the Sino-EU high-level economic and trade dialogue would become an important platform to build mutual trust and realize mutual benefits. He said the EU was China's largest partner for economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation, and that Sino-EU practical cooperation had brought about great benefits for both sides and promoted world peace and development.

Wen pointed out that currently with the deepening economic globalization, greater interdependence between countries, and more outstanding issues on energy, environmental protection and climate change, mankind is facing new opportunities and challenges. "It was in the common interests of both sides to strengthen cooperation between China and the EU," Wen said, adding that it is also in line with the development of the times. He noted mutual benefits between the two sides greatly outweighed the contradictions and differences, and with mutual respect and trust, exchange and win-win cooperation, the China-EU relationship would be further developed.

Hailing the positive momentum of the EU-China relations, Barroso said exchanges and cooperation between the two in fields of politics, economy and trade, science and technology and humanities were active and constructive. Barroso is leading a large delegation of nine commissioners on his current visit to China. He said it was the first time the EU had sent such a large high-level delegation to China, which showed the high attention of the EU to fostering and deepening relations and cooperation. The EU understood the tough task China faced as a developing country and supported the Chinese government's efforts in sticking to the reform and opening up and in overcoming difficulties and challenges for all-round development and better living condition of its people. China's development is conducive to Europe and the world at large, Barroso noted. The EU would like to join hands with China in the spirit of real partnership to confront challenges and opportunities brought about by globalization, he added.

The two agreed to continue to promote the Sino-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and maintain high-level contacts and consultations at various levels. They pledged to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultations, expand economic and trade cooperation between the two sides and jointly promote the process of the Doha round talks based on the principle of equity, openness and mutual benefits. They agreed to upgrade the mode for scientific and technological cooperation and strengthen cooperation in such sustainable development areas as energy saving, emission reduction, environmental protection, climate change and technological innovation. The two sides will also deepen cooperation on product quality and food safety in an effort to safeguard the basic interests of the two peoples, and will promote people-to-people communication and youth exchange to cement the social basis for bilateral ties.

"China supports the integration of EU and welcomes the EU to play a more active role in international issues," said Wen, adding China was ready to share opportunities and jointly respond to challenges with the EU based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits to make greater contribution to the progress of the humanity.

Wen also briefed Barroso on the recent situation in Tibet and the government's position on the issue.

The EU looks at and deals with the relations with China from a strategic and long-term perspective, and hopes to discuss frankly with China on bilateral and international issues on a basis of mutual respect so as to promote understanding and trust, Barroso said. The EU and its member states respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and acknowledge that both Taiwan and Tibet are part of China, he said, adding that to safeguard China's stability and prosperity is in the interest of the international community. Barroso voiced his objection to boycotting the Beijing Olympic Games and wished the games a success.

Following the talks, both sides jointly met the press and announced the start of the Sino-EU high-level economic and trade dialogue.

Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) Zhang Ping, Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Yin Weimin, Minister of Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Director of the General Administration of Customs Sheng Guangzu, Minister of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Li Changjiang and Ambassador Song Zhe, Head of the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Communities attended the talks.