Want China Times, Xinhua 2013-11-23
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| Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during the 2013 EU-China Urbanization Partnership Forum in Beijing, Nov. 21. (Photo/Xinhua) |
Chinese
Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday described as "unprecedented" a plan
for bilateral cooperation between China and Europe.
"The
plan is unprecedented in its breadth of content, ranging from aerospace and
counter-piracy to urbanization and energy," Li told reporters after a
90-minute summit with European leaders at the Great Hall of the People,
attended by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Li called
the plan a "roadmap"for Sino-European cooperation until 2020, and
said talks were planned on an investment protocol between the two sides.
Barroso was
delighted by the plan for 2020, calling it strategic and detailed.
The two
sides will also discuss the feasibility of a free-trade agreement and work
towards the goal of increasing bilateral trade to US$1 trillion by 2020.
"All
these moves will significantly boost bilateral trade and economic
cooperation," Li said.
"Trade
and investment issues remain high on our agenda and we have made a substantial
step forward by launching negotiations on an investment agreement, covering
both investment protection and market access," Rompuy said. "A level
playing field, transparency and confidence in the rule of law are essential on
both sides for business to thrive."
Both sides
agreed to keep their markets open, oppose protectionism and deal with trade
disputes through dialogue and friendly consultation. They will take effective
measures to expand bilateral trade on high-technology.
They will
work more closely on transportation and infrastructure, cooperate on scientific
and technological innovation, while developing new energy sources and materials
together.
The two
sides will give full play to their communication and dialogue mechanisms to
expand exchanges in areas including education, culture, youth and public
policy.
They also
vowed to strengthen cooperation on international and regional issues, such as
climate change, internet security, arms control and nonproliferation.
In
Sino-European relations, common ground outweighs differences, Li said,
attributing those differences to their histories, cultures and their respective
paces of development.
"Any
problem in Sino-European relations can be resolved as long as we increase
communication and enhance understanding," Li said.
He said
China and Europe strengthening cooperation is in the interests of both sides,
and will send positive signals of peace, development and cooperation to the
world.
China
firmly supports Europe's integration, and is glad to see a strong, prosperous
and united EU.
The
combination of two cultures and two markets will lift Sino-European relations
to a new high, Li added.
Stressing
that the two economies had become interdependent and that trade volume had
quadrupled, Barroso said Sino-European relations are not only represented by
trade, but also by politics, security and culture.
Barroso
said Europe and China are now at a turning point, citing Europe's own market
reform and China's recent third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central
Committee in Beijing.
Barroso said
Europe supports the Chinese economy in being more inclusive and sustainable.
Following
the summit, Li, Rompuy and Barroso witnessed the signing of three deals on
energy, intellectual property rights and agri-technology.
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