Financial Times publishes article written by Chinese vice premier

English.news.cn   2012-05-02  

•  Financial Times on Wednesday published an article written by Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang.
•  We hope to see a more inclusive and accommodating Europe.
•  China firmly supports both in words and in deeds Europe in its efforts to overcome the current crisis.

LONDON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Financial Times on Wednesday published an article written by Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang. The following is the full text of the article -- "China Has Great Expectation for Europe."

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang

We Chinese have always had a lot of goodwill towards Europe, and there is much I expect to gain from my upcoming visit to the EU. China is the largest developing country in the world, and Europe is an important pillar of the international community. China's reform and opening-up programme and Europe's integration process have both contributed significantly to global peace, development and prosperity. China firmly supports the integration of Europe and regards the EU as a strategic partner that deserves our confidence.

We hope to see a united, strong and prosperous Europe. Despite the debt problems encountered by some EU countries, Europe, with its solid economic foundation and scientific and technological strengthen, can beat the crisis and turn it into an opportunity for greater progress. In fighting the debt crisis, EU countries have enhanced cooperation and carried out reform with tremendous courage. This is applaudable. As a result, the EU has made major progress to fiscal integration, and the long-term mechanism for preventing financial risks, the European Stability Mechanism, will be launched earlier than scheduled. These steps have boosted market confidence and sent an encouraging message to the world.

China and the EU have become indispensable partners for cooperation in pursuing common development. China firmly supports both in words and in deeds Europe in its efforts to overcome the current crisis. In the past two years, China's imports from EU countries have grown at an annual rate of over 25 percent. Last year, China almost doubled its direct investment in Europe, and purchased bonds issued by European countries several times. China will continue to explore possible and effective means to cooperate with the relevant parties and to make a joint contribution to addressing the issue of Europe's sovereign debt.

We hope to see a more open and cooperative Europe. China is implementing its 12th Five-Year Plan, and Europe is pursuing its "Europe 2020" strategy. This has created room for enhancing China-EU cooperation. Economically, both China and Europe have much to benefit from each other's strength; this is the defining feature of China-EU relations. When "designed in Europe" is combined with "made in China" and when European technologies are combined with the Chinese market, there will be amazing results.

Now, over $1.5 billion of goods are exchanged between China and Europe daily, testifying to ever closer ties. China-EU cooperation in innovation is also making steady progress. It is estimated that every percentage point of increase in EU's high-tech exports to China will generate at least 2.2 billion euros of additional exports to China. Relaxing control over high-tech exports to China is conducive to growing China-EU economic ties and so is beneficial for both sides.

We hope to see a more inclusive and accommodating Europe. As a Chinese saying goes, "It may rain in your courtyard but not in the street outside. On a 100 mile journey, you will find wind coming from different directions." "United in Diversity" is a key factor driving European integration. The world today needs both western thinking and oriental vision. If China and Europe can both achieve success by development models suited to their respective conditions, we will make the world more harmonious and prosperous.

Cultural and people-to-people exchanges provide the basis for such cooperation. There are over 70 flights between China and Europe every day and over five million mutual visits for tourism alone every year. The EU's 23 official languages are taught in Chinese universities, and Confucius Institutes are doing better and better in Europe. We hope Europe will learn more about the real China. China and Europe should both be focused on the future. We need to expand common ground while reserving differences, and strive to build an equal partnership of mutual respect and trust, a cooperative partnership of economic mutual benefit and development, and a harmonious partnership of mutual learning and cultural diversity.

China and Europe are strategic partners. We are ready to work with Europe to ensure our mutual hopes will enhance trust, support and cooperation. China and Europe can progress and develop together.

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