On January 17, 2007, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with visiting EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

 

Li said China-EU relations have witnessed continuous in-depth development with growing strategic consensus and coordination and new progress of cooperation in all areas. He urged both sides to jointly push for the comprehensive strategic partnership by proceeding from an overall and strategic perspective and step up efforts in the following four aspects. "We should continue to increase political dialogue and consultations at multiple levels to enhance mutual trust, push the China-EU Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) for positive progress, actively expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology, agriculture and education, and properly handle differences that arise between the two sides," said Li.

 

Waldner said the European Union and China are important newly-emerging forces enjoying the fastest growth in the world, and now is the best time to develop the bilateral relations. Waldner noted that the signing of the PCA, which conforms to the reality of China-EU relations and reflects the importance of such ties, would provide an overall foundation for the development of bilateral political, economic and trade relations. The European Union is willing to work with China to respond to various challenges in the world and effectively solve problems such as energy security, fair trade and climate change, said Waldner.

 

Reiterating China's position on the Taiwan question, Li expressed his appreciation for the EU's adherence to the one-China policy. He also stressed that properly handing the Taiwan question is vital to safeguarding the steady development of China-EU relations. "I hope the EU side can make concerted efforts with China to oppose Taiwan independence and jointly safeguard the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," Li said.

 

Waldner reaffirmed EU's adherence to the one-China policy. Both sides also exchanged views on energy cooperation, as well as regional and international issues.

 

Following the talks, Li and Waldner jointly met with journalists from home and abroad and announced the official launch of substantive talks on the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA).