Recently, Ambassador Zhang Ming, Head of the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to European Union, published a speech in the special issue of The Parliament which carries the roster of the new Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). In the speech he congratulated the new MEPs and expressed the willingness to work together with the parliamentarians to advance the China-EU ties. The full text of the speech is as follows:

As Chinese ambassador to the EU, I would like to express, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, congratulations on your being elected as new MEPs. Wish you all success in your new capacity.

The MEPs come from the EU member states, representing more than 500 million European people and shouldering important responsibilities. In the current parliament, there are many new faces; in particular the proportion of young and female parliamentarians has increased, and they will inject new wisdom and vitality into the EU itself and the China-EU ties.

In face of the increasingly grave global challenges, China and the EU are staunch supporters of multilateralism, builders of the outward-looking world economy, global leaders in addressing climate change, makers of connectivity opportunities, and more significantly important forces in maintaining the world peace.

China attaches great importance to the European Parliament’s unique and important role in the China-EU ties. The participation and promotion of each parliamentarian is indispensable to the sound development of the China-EU ties. I’m looking forward to working together with you on the basis of equality, sincerity, and mutual respect and trust to further deepen the China-EU comprehensive strategic cooperation, and push the partnerships of peace, growth, reform and cultural progress between the two sides to keep going forward.

The special issue also carries Facts and Figures about China-EU Ties, which briefs the new MEPs on the China-EU ties from the four aspects of China-EU political relationship, trade and economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and parliamentary contact.

The Parliament magazine of the EU founded in 1995 publishes two issues each month. Targeting the main readers of the MEPs and officials with the EU organizations, the magazine focuses on the political, economic and social development of Europe and the updates of the European Parliament.