Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Tuesday urged China and the European Union (EU) to further enhance their strategic partnership.  

While meeting in Beijing with Javier Solana, secretary general of the Council of EU, Tang said China and EU are both in an important development phase, with China striving to build an affluent society, and the EU soon to experience its boldest round of enlargement.

"China and the EU should grasp the opportunity and further their all-round strategic partnership," he said.

Solana, also the representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, arrived here Tuesday morning on a two-day official visit.

He said the EU and China share common views on developing their ties and on some significant regional and international issues. Their strategic relations are of substantive content. He pledged the willingness of the EU to strengthen consultations and cooperation with China to promote effective multilateralism.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2004)