Diplomat calls EU 'important partner'
Wu Hailong, Chinese ambassador to the EU, said China's development will create enormous opportunities for other countries.
It is estimated that in the next five years, China will import $10 trillion in goods, invest $500 billion abroad, and send tourists on more than 400 million trips overseas.
"Europe is our important partner in this process. We believe that China will produce a strong driving force for Europe in terms of creating jobs, tackling the crisis and restoring growth," Wu said.
Emphasizing that both sides must use mutually beneficial cooperation to provide a driving force for bilateral relations, the ambassador revealed that China and the EU are now working on a 2020 strategic plan for China-EU cooperation and will launch negotiations for an investment agreement soon.
"This work will make us better poised in our growth strategy by releasing the potential for cooperation," he said.
However, the enduring economic and sovereign debt crises across Europe served as a double-edged sword to EU-China trade relations. Cooperation was strengthened while disputes were aggravated in the solar panel industry, among others.
Wu said that the EU's anti-dumping investigations into some Chinese exports undermine the interests of Chinese companies and the confidence of the two business communities.
"In my view, we must be highly cautious in using these measures," he said.
Wu said both sides should focus on improving product competitiveness, increasing cooperation by upgrading business links, and delivering shared growth in the spirit of mutual benefits.
China Daily
(China Daily 11/20/2013 page10)
