China always views Europe as an important pole in the progress of a multi-polar world, and always supports the integration of Europe, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in Beijing on Thursday.

Geng made the remarks at a daily news conference when requested to introduce this year's China-EU Leaders' Meeting, after Reuters quoted EU officials as saying that the EU is preparing an early leaders' meeting with China in April or May in Brussels to promote free trade and international cooperation.

China is communicating and coordinating with the EU over this year's leaders' meeting, and will release relevant news in due time, Geng said.

"No matter how the world changes, China's determination to maintain world peace, promote common development, build partnerships and support multilateralism will not change," he said.

He said China is always committed to promoting partnerships with the EU for peace, growth, reform and civilization, and hopes to maintain close communication and good cooperation with it to enhance bilateral ties.