Li Changchun (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, meets with Lothar Bisky, chairman of the Party of European Left, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 11, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- China will work with the European Union (EU) to push forward the all-round strategic partnership between the two sides, said a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) here Thursday.

    Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with Lothar Bisky, chairman of the Party of European Left (EL).

    Speaking highly of the pragmatic China-EU cooperation in various fields, Li said China always treat the relations with the EU from a strategic and long-term perspective.

    China is ready to work with the EU to enrich relations, and lift them to a new level, Li said.

    Hailing the important role of the party-to-party relations in the growth of China-EU ties, Li said the CPC would further increase dialogue and exchanges with the EL and the EL's member parties.

    Bisky congratulated Li on the successful Beijing Olympic Games and believed the Paralympics would also be wonderful.

    Bisky said the EL pays great attention to China's socialist course, and will make efforts to promote EU-China mutual trust and cooperation.

    Bisky and his delegation were here on a visit to China from Sept. 8 to 15 at the invitation of the CPC.

    The EL was established in Rome in 2004. It links 29 European left-wing and communist parties from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and other countries, most of which stand to the left of social democrats.