On April 2, 2002, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held talks with European Union (EU) Commissioner for External Relations Christopher Patten.

Tang said that China-EU relations are showing a good trend of development. The two sides are implementing in an active way the follow-up actions of the fourth China-EU summit, and many new achievements have been made. China and the EU have conducted frequent political contacts and dialogues at all levels, fruitful economic and trade cooperation, and smooth cooperation in the areas of science and technology, transportation, communications and information. The two sides are preparing for the fifth China-EU summit, which he hopes will be successful.

Tang said that the Chinese side has noticed that the EU recently passed another document aiming to assist China's development, following the document the EU passed last May about its new policy towards China. China appreciates the EU's attitude towards developing relations with China. China attaches great importance to the development of China-EU relations, and is keen to see the relationship continue to develop soundly in the new century.

Patten sait that at present EU-China relations are developing very well, with broad prospects. The two sides share many similar viewpoints and common interests concerning major current international issues and the establishment of a multi-polar international mechanism. The EU is ready to strengthen political dialogue and consultation with China, and further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade and economy, investment, science and technology, and environmental protection. Patten also reaffirmed the EU's adherence to the one-China policy.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of shared concern, such as the Asia-Europe meeting, and the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Afghanistan.