This is the sixth policy paper that the commission has issued on EU-China relations. It is also the first China policy paper released by the current EC, headed by President Jose Manuel Barroso.

EU Trade Commissioner Britain's Peter Mandelson (R) attends a press conference on the relations between the EU and China at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Oct. 24, 2006.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

EU to seek "engagement", "partnership" with China

    STRASBOURG, France, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The European Union will continue to seek "engagement" and "partnership" with China, an EU policy paper released by the bloc's executive arm said on Tuesday.

    "The EU's fundamental approach to China must remain one of engagement and partnership. But with a closer strategic partnership, mutual responsibilities increase," the European Commission (EC) said in the document.

    Entitled "EU-China: Closer partners, growing responsibilities," the 10-page document focuses on the importance of developing the EU-China relations, the increasing strength of China, and the policies and measures the EU would adopt to boost bilateral ties.

EU Trade Commissioner Britain's Peter Mandelson reads a policy paper in Strasbourg, France, Oct. 24, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

Photo show a policy paper in Strasbourg, France, Oct. 24, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    The document is the first of its kind adopted by the current EC, headed by President Jose Manuel Barroso.

    The paper acknowledged China to have come up as a major power over the past decade, saying that the Asian country has become the world's 4th largest economy and 3rd largest exporter, as well as an increasingly important political power.

    "China's re-emergence is a welcome phenomenon," EC external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told a press conference here.

    "The core message we want to send to Beijing is that we should continue to engage with China, and deepen our strategic partnership," she added.

    The document said Europe needs to "respond effectively to China's renewed strength."

    "Given China's size and phenomenal growth, these changes have a profound impact on global politics and trade," it said.

    "To tackle the key challenges facing Europe today - including climate change, employment, migration, security - we need to leverage the potential of a dynamic relationship with China," it said.

    In 2003, the EU and China agreed to set up a strategic partnership.

    The European Commission believes that the bilateral relations between the two countries are "mature" and mutually beneficial.

    "Some differences remain, but are being managed effectively, and relations are increasingly mature and realistic," said the paper.

    The EU and China need to work together as they assume more active and responsible international roles, it said.

    The goal is to create a situation in which China and the EU can bring their respective strengths into play, in dealing with global problems, said the paper.

    The policy paper is accompanied with a policy document on trade and investment titled "Competition and Partnership."

    "China is the single most important challenge for EU trade policy," the document said, noting that EU-China trade doubled between 2000 and 2005 and that Europe is China's largest export market and China Europe's largest source of imports.

    "Competitively priced Chinese products have helped keep inflation and interest rates in Europe lower. European companies have gained from their investments in China. But competition from China has raised serious challenges for Europe in some important manufacturing sectors," the document added.

    "There is ample scope for a continued mutually beneficial tradepartnership between Europe and China," the document said.

Related: EU outlines mid-term priorities

Security personnel guard in front of the headquarters of the European Union in Strasbourg, France, Oct. 24, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BRUSSELS, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU)'s executive European Commission adopted its work program for 2007 on Tuesday, setting out four priorities for its mid-term work.

    The four priorities are prosperity, solidarity, security and a stronger voice in the world, the commission said in a statement.

    Outlining the 2007 working agenda, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the program would build on existing commitments to provide added value to Europe's citizens.

    "Consultations with the other institutions will be more extensive than before and we are determined to strengthen our commitment to better regulation with a guarantee to deliver what we promise," he said.

    New to the annual work program will be a series of 21 strategic initiatives that will be the main focus of the commission's work in 2007.

    A top priority for 2007 is to modernize the European economy and equip Europe with the capacity to respond to the challenge of globalization.

    This will see a new phase in action at EU level on the Lisbon strategy, a single market review and a so-called comprehensive stocktaking of European society, according to the commission.

    The 2007 work program will also seek to respond to the need for a better management of migration flows with specific proposals on economic immigrants and minimum sanctions for employers of illegally staying third-country nationals.

    Energy will also be at the top of the policy agenda in 2007, when the commission will present the first strategic energy review for Europe as well as putting forward a green paper on options for EU climate change post-2012.

    A white paper on health strategy is also on the cards, as well as a strategy on social services and the contribution that can be made to better urban transport.

    Externally, Brussels will reinforce European neighborhood policy and seek to make progress in negotiations with major strategic partners such as Russia, China and Ukraine.