On the morning of May 23 local time, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), who is on an official goodwill visit to Luxembourg, met with Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker at the prime minister's office. Both sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad consensus on bilateral relations, pragmatic cooperation, China-EU ties and other issues in a friendly and candid atmosphere.

Wu first conveyed the cordial greetings from Premier Wen Jiabao to Juncker. He said Prime Minister Juncker, as an old friend of the Chinese people, has long been committed to the cause of China-Luxembourg friendship and has also made ​​important contributions to the development of China-EU relations, which China spoke highly of. Juncker expressed his thanks and asked Wu to convey his good wishes to Premier Wen Jiabao. He said that Chairman Wu's visit is an important visit against the background of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Luxembourg and as EU-China relations are facing new opportunities. Luxembourg is willing to make joint efforts with China to push forward bilateral relations and EU-China ties.

Wu said that after 40 years of development, China-Luxembourg relations have made ​​significant progress in both bilateral and multilateral areas and are in the best period in history. Currently world multi-polarization and economic globalization are deepening and state-to-state relations are becoming closer with a higher degree of interdependence. The two countries' common interests are increasing and there is a pressing need for their cooperation. The Chinese side attaches great importance to developing friendly cooperative relations with Luxembourg and is willing to make joint efforts with it to push the bilateral relations to a new level. He urged both sides to maintain friendly exchanges at all levels, grasp the general direction of bilateral ties from a strategic height and long-term perspective and respect and accommodate the other's concerns on major issues concerning each other's core interests. Both sides should handle differences through dialogue and consultations, accumulate mutual trust and expand consensus. Noting that Luxembourg is among the world's important international financial centers, Wu said the two countries could focus in general on cementing cooperation in the financial sector. The two nations, he said, should especially make a point of strengthening coordination in the improvement of laws and regulations, operations and management and human resources training. He also suggested the two countries' central banks establish exchanges in the future. The Chinese side welcomes the Luxembourg enterprises to actively participate in China's economic restructuring and industrial upgrading. Wu said enterprises from the two countries could step up cooperation in emerging fields, such as high-end manufacturing, cutting-edge technologies and modern services. China supports its enterprises in beefing up investments in Luxembourg so as to bring into full play the latter's role as a major transit hub for Chinese companies looking to expand their presence in European markets. Wu also expressed hope that Luxembourg could provide more favorable conditions for China when it comes to financing, visas and staff recruitment.

Juncker fully agreed with Chairman Wu's comments on bilateral ties and his proposals on deepening bilateral friendly cooperative relations. He said the two countries, with different national conditions, do not always see eye to eye, but their differences have not hindered the development of bilateral ties. That's because the two sides also share the same or similar positions on many international and regional issues and enjoy broader common interests, he said. Luxembourg, the prime minister said, puts a premium on improving its relationship with China. Luxembourg greatly admires China's development success and is a sincere friend and cooperative partner of China in Europe. Juncker said he expects to see strengthened reciprocal cooperation between the two countries in financial services, air transport, tourism and education. Luxembourg, he said, welcomes more investment from Chinese enterprises, expressing hope that China will take Luxembourg as a bridge to enter European countries. Juncker reiterated that his country adheres to the one-China policy, respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and discourages any efforts to foment the break-up of China.

Wu and Juncker also exchanged views on European debt issues and the economic situation, and Wu also upon request introduced China's current economic development. Wu said China is concerned about the development of European debt issues. As the world's largest economy, the European Union has a significant influence on not only its member countries, but also China and the world. Achieving a strong economy and sustainable growth is the way to solve the European debt issues, which should also be based on the efforts of the EU itself, Wu said, adding that China will, as always, support the stability of the euro. China attaches great importance to ties with EU and is confident about the European economy and the euro. Wu also expressed hope for expanding bilateral trade, scaling up mutual investment, opposing all forms of protectionism and promoting the reform of the international financial system and global economic governance. Moreover, Wu said, China is willing to import more products from the EU and promote bilateral trade balances. China also hopes that the EU could recognize China's market economy status as soon as possible, relax restrictions on high-tech exports to China and promote less and cautious use of trade remedy measures, which is conducive to pushing for strong economic growth of China and EU. For his part, Juncker thanked for China's efforts for resolving European debt issues, saying the EU member countries are taking the necessary measures concerning the current difficulties and are confident in the euro and the outlook for European economy. Juncker said the rapid development of the Chinese economy is the driving force of global economic recovery. He said that Luxembourg is willing to strengthen dialogue with China on macro-economic policies and jointly fight protectionism.

Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the NPC Standing Committee Li Jianguo and other Chinese accompanying officials, as well as Luxembourg Minister for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, Minister of Culture, Minister of Middle Classes and Tourism and Ambassador to China attended the meeting.