BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday released a joint statement of the 10th China-EU Summit, held in Beijing last Wednesday. Following is the full text of the statement.

    Joint Statement of the 10th China-EU Summit

    Beijing, 28 November 2007

    The Tenth China-EU Summit was held in Beijing on 28 November 2007. Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of China attended the meeting on behalf of the People's Republic of China. The EU was represented by the President of the European Council, Prime Minister Jose Socrates of the Portuguese Republic and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso.

    Leaders of the two sides had an overall review of the development of the bilateral relations since the establishment of the mechanism of China-EU Summit in 1998. They agreed that over the decade, China-EU relations have made a historical progress. Leaders expressed their satisfaction with the comprehensive cooperation between the two sides in broad fields and at all levels, and with the growing maturity of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

    Leaders welcomed the development of China-EU political relations. They hold that the full and effective political dialogue mechanism established between the two sides had played a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and expanding common ground and cooperation, and serves as an important foundation for stronger China-EU political mutual trust.

    Leaders of China and the EU recalled the deepening and expanding economic cooperation and trade between the two sides, and emphasized that China and the EU are becoming each other's most important economic and trade partners thanks to efforts by both sides over the past 10 years, and that bilateral economic cooperation and trade had become one of the most important driving forces behind further strengthening of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. Leaders discussed the necessary actions to be taken to achieve a more balanced trade and economic partnership.

    Leaders made a comprehensive summing up of the achievements made in China-EU all round cooperation in all fields, and pointed out that the increasingly closer sectoral dialogues had become an effective platform for policy coordination between the two sides, and had contributed significantly to stronger mutually beneficial cooperation.

    Leaders stated that China-EU consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues -- in particular Africa, Myanmar, the Korean peninsula, Iran, the Middle East and Kosovo, as well as ASEM -- as an important part of the overall China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, had played an important role in promoting world peace, stability and sustainable development.

    The two sides briefed each other on their respective latest developments. China welcomed the new and significant progress made in EU integration, as a result of the EU agreement on a new Reform Treaty, which further strengthens Europe as a global player. The EU welcomed the Seventeenth National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, and the application of its Scientific Outlook on Development, pursue a win-win strategy of opening up, and follow unswervingly the path of peaceful development. Leaders stated that the current world is now undergoing extensive and profound changes, and that as comprehensive strategic partners, both at a crucial stage of development, China and the EU would, upholding the spirit of democracy, harmony and collaboration for win-win results, continue to work together to promote democracy in international relations, advance a more balanced development of economic globalization to ensure mutual benefit and win-win progress. They would work to promote human civilization, be committed to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, support each other and make concerted efforts to jointly safeguard planet Earth for the benefit of all mankind. Reaffirming their commitment in favour of preserved environment and sustainable development, they would work to promote the building of a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity. This not only serves the fundamental interests of the two sides, but also world peace, stability, and development and human rights.

    To this end, leaders of the two sides agreed:

    1. The two sides will further enhance political dialogue and consultation at all levels, and continue to maintain consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues to enhance political mutual trust and expand strategic common ground.

    2. Leaders expressed their mutual satisfaction on the successful launch and start of negotiations on a Partnership and Co-operation Agreement which will encompass the full scope of their bilateral relationship, including enhanced co-operation on political matters. These negotiations will also update the 1985 China-EEC Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement, which will be administered in a relatively independent manner, taking into consideration the global objectives of the China-EU strategic partnership.

    3The EU reaffirmed its commitment to one China policy and expressed its hope for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question through constructive dialogue. The EU reiterated its concern over the intended referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan as this could lead to a unilateral change of the status quo across Taiwan straits to which the EU is opposed. In this context, the EU expressed its concern over the Taipei authorities' intentions about the future status of the island.

    4. Leaders also discussed the EU arms embargo. The Chinese side reiterated its view that lifting the arms embargo would be conducive to the sound development of the China-EU relations and urged the EU to lift the arms embargo at an early date. The EU side recognized the importance of this issue and confirmed its willingness to carry forward work towards lifting the embargo on the basis of the Joint Statement of the 2004 China-EU Summit and subsequent European Council Conclusions.

    5. Leaders reiterated their willingness to carry out cooperation in the fields of non-proliferation and disarmament. On the basis of the Joint Declaration of the European Union and the People's Republic of China on Non-proliferation and Arms Control, the two sides will continue to enhance dialogue and deepen practical cooperation, building on the successful record in several areas, such as export control.

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