BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo said here Friday China hopes to further improve the strategic partnership between China and the European Union (EU).

    Dai made the remarks when meeting with a delegation of EU diplomats, including former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and former Hungarian Prime Minister Medgyessy Peter.

    Dai said China and the EU should view their relations from strategic and long-term perspective, and work together for common development with mutual respect and equal treatment.

    He encouraged think tanks from both sides to enhance communication in a bid to cement the foundation of the China-EU strategic partnership.

    Raffarin said the EU-China relations were of great strategic significance, and the EU-China Strategic Partnership was conducive not only to the development of the EU and China, but also to the establishment of a more balanced multi-polar world.

    Raffarin and Medgyessy Peter were visiting China for the Forum on China-EU Strategic Partnership from Nov. 19 to 20.