Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Thursday in Beijing. (Xinhua photo)

    BEIJING, July 14 -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Thursday in Beijing.

    The two leaders exchanged views on the arms embargo against China and the EU's failure to grant China full market economy status.

    The Chinese Premier told Barroso that China highly values relations with the European Union and he is willing to discuss strategic issues with Barroso.

    Barroso reiterated that EU considers China an important strategic partner and will continue to treat bilateral relations as a priority.

    Before the talks, Barroso told reporter in Beijing that a decision on granting so-called market economy status to China is unlikely in the immediate future.

    He said a decision would be difficult before or at a China-European economic summit scheduled for September.

    However, he said the EU will continue working towards granting market economy status to China, which Chinese officials are seeking to strengthen their hand in challenging anti-dumping cases.

    But such a move will have to be reciprocated by Chinese concessions, Barroso said, without giving details.

    Besides Beijing, Barroso will visit Shanghai, Macao and Hong Kong on his five-day visit to China.

    It is Barroso's first visit to China as president of European Commission. Enditem

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com/Agencies)