Brussels, 29/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - Speaking to the press after their meeting on Thursday 29 April in Beijing, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the prime minister of China, Wen Jiabao, said they had agreed to step up EU-Chinese cooperation in the field of energy supply security and exchange in combating climate change. Wen Jiabao above all spoke of China's willingness to play a greater role in international issues and to work with the EU to combat protectionism and trade barriers. “China will take on greater international responsibilities (…) not only to meet its international expectations but also to serve its interests”, the Chinese prime minister said. Alongside him, Barroso stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and China in a world that is increasingly globalised. Whether it is a matter of leading global economic recovery, resisting protectionist pressures, defending oneself against climate change or resolving security issues such as nuclear proliferation, China and the EU must work together, the Commission's president said. He was speaking at the head of a delegation composed of five commissioners and High Representative Catherine Ashton to discuss with Chinese authorities regarding the prospects of EU/China relations over the next five years.
On international issues, and the Iranian dossier in particular, Wen Jiabao did not tell the press whether China was ready or not to support sanctions against Teheran, as the EU and the United States advocate. “China will remain in contact with those concerned and will play a constructive and positive role” in order to reach a solution, the head of the Chinese government said quite simply.
At the economic and commercial level, Wen Jiabao again urged the EU to acknowledge China's market economy status as soon as possible, a status that would allow it to protect itself from antidumping practice. The Chinese prime minister also called on the EU and China to work together to achieve a global balance and sustainable growth in bilateral trade. According to Wen Jiabao, Beijing is willing to send delegations responsible for fostering trade and investment to the EU, and plans to create a special fund aimed at encouraging Chinese and European SMEs to work together. (E.H./transl.jl)