Ladies and Gentlemen,

The theme of this Summit, namely, "Boosting Innovations, the Era of EU-China Economic Cooperation" is an important one. Economically, China and the EU are highly complementary, with great potential for cooperation. We have now reached a new stage in boosting our business ties. We should expand the scope of cooperation, explore new cooperation models, raise level of cooperation and elevate our business relations to a new height. To this end, I would like to propose the following:

1. Expanding technological cooperation in various fields. China's modernization endeavor is driven by science and technology. We encourage both independent innovation and introduction of technology through enhanced international cooperation. Europe, which is strong in information technology, bio-medicine, machinery, automobile, electronics, chemistry and energy sector, will find ample opportunities for further development in China. China and the EU should explore new areas, projects and modalities of cooperation and carry out scientific and technological cooperation in diversified forms and at various levels.

2. Strengthening cooperation in energy and environmental protection. China is endeavoring to build an energy-conserving and environment-friendly society. As a result, it has a growing demand for new energy and environment-friendly products. Europe leads the world in waste treatment, energy-conserving building, environmental management and renewable energy, such as wind energy, solar energy and bioenergy. It is thus well positioned to establish itself on the Chinese market. We hope to work with the EU to strengthen cooperation in energy conservation and environmental protection.

3. Deepening cooperation in agriculture and service sector. China is working to build a new rural area. Europe has advanced agricultural technologies and has much to offer to China in greenhouse technology and industrial management of agriculture. China and the EU can deepen cooperation in rural development, poverty alleviation, agricultural ecology, quality of agricultural products and animal health. China's service sector, which is opening wider to the outside world, has a broad prospect for development. As the EU has an advanced service sector, the two sides have great potential for cooperation in this field.

4. Promoting cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The EU is renowned as a "kingdom" of SMEs. Chinese and European SMEs are mutually complementary in capital, technology, business model and management. The Chinese Government has adopted a series of policies to support SMEs. Industrial parks for European SMEs have been opened in some Chinese cities. We encourage SMEs from both sides to make full use of the existing platform and expand cooperation in technology transfer, market sharing, processing trade and human resources.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Both China and Europe have long history and splendid cultures, and our peoples have time-honored friendship. In the new century, our peoples can surely, through hard work and drawing on their wisdom, create a more splendid future. Let us join hands and work together to raise China-EU economic cooperation and trade to a new height.

Thank you all!

(Source: www.fmprc.gov.cn)