Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili said in Beijing Thursday that the relations between China and the European Union are better than ever.  

Chen made the statement while meeting with Viviane Reding, a member of the Commission of the European Union who takes charge of cultural and educational affairs.

The Chinese government values cultural relations with the European Union and its member states, she said.

The two sides advocate the respect for the diversity of world culture, and China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the European Union in the fields of culture, education, film and physics, Chen said.

Reding also expressed the hope of enhancing exchanges and cooperation in culture between the European Union and China.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2003)