Stronger ties, greater prosperity

China's modernization creates historic opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with European Union

The 16th China-European Union Summit, which took place in Beijing this week, yielded fruitful results and issued the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation.

It has announced the launch of negotiations on a China-EU investment agreement and set the goal of bringing China-EU trade to $1 trillion by 2020.

Above: Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) meets European Council President Herman Van Rompuy (left) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, in Beijing for the 16th China-EU Summit on Nov 20. Below: An Irish official takes part in the China-EU Exhibition on Urban Development in Beijing on Nov 21, which was held on the sidelines of the summit. Pang Xinglei / Xinhua

This is no low-hanging fruit and we need to jump to reach it, but I am confident we can attain that goal. The agenda will definitely provide more opportunities for economic and trade collaboration between China and Europe, including the United Kingdom.

China will, as always, firmly support Europe's integration process. A united, stable and prosperous Europe is in the interest of the world and of China. The growth of mutually beneficial business ties between China and Europe will not only bring benefits to both sides; it will also create brighter prospects for China-Europe relations. This should be a win-win endeavor.

In a couple of days, I will pay my second visit of the year to Europe and will meet prime ministers of 16 central and eastern European countries in Bucharest, where we will explore ways to boost cooperation.

There is great potential for expanding cooperation between China and these countries and I look forward to working together with my colleagues from these nations to create a new impetus for developing our mutual relations.