With over 30 years of development, relations between China and Europe have now reached an unprecedented level, both in depth and in breadth, despite our differences in ideology and social system. Politically, our relations have gone through three stages --- from constructive partnership to comprehensive partnership and then to today's comprehensive strategic partnership. A few days ago, the 10th China-EU Leaders' Meeting was successfully held in Beijing, during which the two sides reached broad agreement. On the economic and trade front, the volume of trade between China and Europe has increased 100 times in 30 years. The EU has been China's largest trading partner for three years running now and, I may add, among the EU countries, the United Kingdom has remained China's biggest investor and third largest trading partner. China-EU cooperation now covers more than 40 sectors and the two sides have maintained good consultation and coordination on UN reform, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Middle East, Africa and other international issues.

Amid rapid globalization, the fundamental factors that contribute to the growth of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership are increasing rather than decreasing. The shared interests between China and Europe are expanding rather than diminishing. We need each other more, not less. China's fast development will give a strong boost to the growth of relations between China and Europe and between China and the United Kingdom.

I am confident about our future relations, because first of all, we do not have conflict of fundamental interests or outstanding historical issue. There is no major political obstacle standing in the way of relations between us.

Second, China and Europe follow similar principles in addressing international issues. Both China and Europe are key members of the international community and have important influence in determining the trend of the international situation and shaping the international system. We both advocate multilateralism and support upholding the authority of the United Nations, promoting global cooperation, and seeking peaceful solutions to international disputes through diplomatic means.

Third, China and Europe are both in a crucial stage of development and our interests increasingly overlap. In keeping with the country's advocation of Scientific Outlook on Development, we are working hard to build a harmonious society and ensure sound and fast economic growth. We need to draw upon the successful practices of the United Kingdom and other European countries in this process. The EU integration has made encouraging progress and is now at a key juncture. I think you will agree with me when I say that the United Kingdom and other European countries also need to intensify cooperation with China in a wide range of areas. China and Europe can offer more opportunities to each other through their development and our cooperation is mutually beneficial.

Fourth, China and Europe need to work together to meet global challenges. As things stand, the international community is confronted with increasingly complex and diverse challenges. In addition to regional and international hotspot issues, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, trans-national crimes, communicable diseases and issues concerning energy, environment and climate change have become all the more serious. Cooperation between China and Europe in responding to these challenges not only serves the interests of both sides, but also conduces to international peace, stability and development.

Last but not least, we are attracted to each other's culture. Cultural exchanges are an important way for different peoples to understand each other and different countries to live in harmony. Blessed with time-honored and rich cultural heritage, China and Europe have much to learn from and offer each other. A telling example is the exhibition of the First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army in the British Museum, which showcases the charm of the ancient Chinese culture. The British people's strong interest in the exhibition shows that culture is a bridge that links peoples together.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We should make the best use of the aforementioned opportunities to elevate China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to a new high. To that end, we should make greater efforts in the following aspects.

First, build stronger political mutual trust. As two important forces in the world, China and Europe shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. We should view our relations from a strategic and global perspective, increase high-level and strategic dialogues to gain an objective appreciation of each other's development policies and direction and cooperate more closely on regional and international hotspot issues.

Second, upgrade the level of practical cooperation. The growth of Sino-European relations serves the immediate, long-term and fundamental interests of both sides. We should make full use of the existing mechanisms to broaden the mutually beneficial cooperation in economy and trade, culture, education, science and technology, environmental protection, finance and other sectors and solidify the material basis of our relations. As we both take the issues of climate change and energy very seriously, we should explore new ideas and avenues for cooperation in these two sectors and make it another highlight in cooperation.

Third, promote greater mutual understanding. Understanding is the prerequisite and basis for successful cooperation. To deepen friendship between peoples of China and Europe, we need to learn more about each other's history, culture and traditions. Exchanges and cooperation between academics and media organizations of the two sides are of particular importance in this regard.

Fourth, properly manage differences. China and European countries differ in national conditions, history, culture and traditions, and we are at different levels of development. It is therefore only natural that we don't see eye to eye on everything. Issues such as trade imbalance and intellectual property rights (IPR) protection are issues that have emerged with the growth of Sino-European relations. These growing pains, put in a different light, prove how close our cooperation is. We should try to resolve them step by step through dialogue, consultation and cooperation and we should do so by respecting each other and treating each other as equals. We should draw upon each other's strengths through cooperation and achieve common development by expanding common ground while shelving differences.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Mankind faces both opportunities and challenges for development in the new century. And I believe there are more opportunities than challenges. There exist broad common interests between China and Europe and between China and the UK. The common challenges we face and the common responsibilities we carry require us to work together to meet the challenges, promote peace, and pursue development.

I wish to conclude my remarks with two quotations. From China, it's an old saying: Things that accord in tone vibrate together. Things that have affinity in their inmost natures seek one another. From Britain, it's a famous line from the great poet Samuel Johnson: To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.

Let us, China, the UK, and Europe in general, join hands and work together for an even brighter future of our relations and an even better world.

Thank you.

Source: www.fmprc.gov.cn