EP president: 'China is a lion awakening'
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-07 09:42 Borrell's spokesperson told Xinhua that Borrell's upcoming China tour would
last seven days, and he was expected to visit Beijing, Lhasa and Shanghai.
"My objective is to see as much as possible of what the
real China is today: the political authorities, the economic transformation," he
said.
As for his meeting with Chinese leaders, Borrell said he hopes to talk about
"the opportunities that arise from a strengthened relationship with the EU."
He said he also wanted to talk about what both sides could do to "help each
other face the challenges of the rapid global transformations," such as the
impact on migration, environment, social provision, and the role of parliaments
in mapping out solutions to these challenges.
On the relations between China and the European Union (EU), Borrell said the
China-EU relations have been strengthened and improved for the recent years.
"Contacts at all levels can only help to promote greater understanding, and
an atmosphere of trust in which all questions can be raised," he said.
"Last year relations were even more intense, as we commemorated the 30th
anniversary of EU-China diplomatic ties," he added.
Borrell also spoke highly of exchanges of visits between the EP and China's
National People Congress (NPC), and of those between the EP party groups and the
Communist Party of China.
"The parliamentary aspect of this relationship is a key element of this
relationship. Parliamentary discussions have a particular value in promoting
understanding between peoples as well as governments," he said.
"Recently a delegation of the European Parliament, led by the Chairman of the
legal affairs committee, visited China. Some of the political group chairmen
also visited China recently. Such contacts are the best way to deepen the
relations between the European Parliament and the NPC," he added.
|
