Home > More Topics > Chinese Premier's Visit to the EU
Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui Holds a Briefing for Journalists from Home and Abroad on the Visit to Europe by Premier Wen Jiabao
2004-04-23 00:00

On the afternoon of April 23, 2004, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui held a briefing for journalists from home and abroad on the upcoming visit by Premier Wen Jiabao to the headquarters of the European Union (EU) and five European countries.

 

Zhang Yesui said that at the invitation of Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Gerhard Schroeder, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Guy Verhofstadt, President of the European Commission Romano Prodi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Tony Blair and Prime Minister of Ireland Bertie Ahern, Premier Wen Jiabao would pay an official visit to the above-mentioned countries and the headquarters of the EU between May 2 and 12. This would be the first visit to Europe by the new Premier of the Chinese government and would be of great significance to the development of China's relations with the EU and its members.

 

Zhang Yesui said in the briefing that China-EU relations are currently experiencing the most active and fruitful period since their establishment. Last year, the two sides issued synchronously policy papers on bilateral relations with each other and reached consensus on committing themselves to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides. China and the EU have many consensuses on major international and regional issues. As each other's important economic and trade partner, both sides would like to further enhance their top-level exchanges and deepen their dialogue and cooperation. Furthermore, relations between China and the five European countries are in good shape. The two sides have maintained relatively frequent exchanges of top-level visits, expanded areas of cooperation and achieved remarkable results. Therefore, both sides wish to further enhance and deepen their cooperation.

 

Zhang Yesui added that during the visit, Premier Wen would hold a series of talks and meetings with leaders of the EU and the five countries to exchange views in depth on their bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common interest, and have wide interaction with local communities of all walks of life. Since the visit will coincide with the largest ever expansion of the EU in history, Premier Wen will show the positive attitude of China toward European integration. During the visit, the two sides will also issue some joint documents and sign some cooperation agreements and contracts. China believes that the visit by Premier Wen to the headquarters of the EU and the five European countries will give a strong push to the comprehensive development of China's relations with Europe.

 

Zhang Yesui also answered questions from the journalists regarding the visit by Premier Wen.

 

Present at the briefing were over 60 journalists from home and abroad and information officials from foreign embassies in China. The briefing was chaired by Deputy Director General Liu Jianchao of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
Suggest to a friend:   
Print