GUANGZHOU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The economic cooperation between Europe and China should develop further and deeper in order to promote China's economic development, said EU Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson in Guangzhou on Monday.

    At the invitation of China's Ministry of Commerce, Mandelson is paying a five-day visit to China, with Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, being the first leg.

    Mandelson said that China's economy has achieved huge progress in recent years and there is still huge potential to be explored. China needs more technological transfer and financial support. European companies hope to enhance cooperation with China in these aspects.

    Mandelson said that he hoped to have dialogues and discussions with Chinese officials on a wide range of topics such as further facilitation of investment, better protection of intellectual property rights, and greater support for innovative companies.

    Mandelson and his delegation are scheduled to leave Guangzhou for Beijing on Tuesday evening. Enditem