China and Britain are likely to sign eight or nine MOUs on development and cooperation across a broad range of areas during Premier Wen's upcoming visit to Britain.
Visiting European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said on Tuesday that the European Union should deepen its partnership with China, especially in trade and people-to-people exchanges.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Tuesday with visiting European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, pledging to further bilateral ties as "two major forces in advocating peace and development in the world."
Whether the European Union grants China market economy status is more an issue of "political attitude" than of substantial significance for either side, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said in Beijing on Friday.
Europe will continue to be given top priority by Chinese exporters, but they are "much less confident" about selling products to developed customers such as North America, Japan and South Korea.
European companies said China is an increasingly important "strategic market," according to an annual business confidence survey released by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China on Wednesday.
A survey showed that European companies in China saw significant increases in revenue and net profit in 2010, and European companies have reaffirmed their commitment to continue developing in the Chinese market.
Scholar offers tips for major firms in China
China plans to hold unprecedented government talks with Germany, in which more than 20 ministers from both sides will take part, when Premier Wen Jiabao visits Beijing's largest trading partner in the eurozone later this month.
China is willing to help European countries realise stable economic growth, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday ahead of a visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Hungary, Britain and Germany this week.
The China-UK relationship has huge opportunities for further development, according to Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming. He said the ties were now blessed with four opportunities.
China registered new concern Friday over the fate of its top trading partner, the embattled eurozone, saying the ability of stricken countries to overcome their financial woes is of "crucial importance."