CLOSER TIES
Energy cooperation is just one of issues Barroso is seeking to address during his first visit to China after he took the second term as European Commission president.
Barroso is visiting on the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the EU and China.
"China and Europe, with great history, can make an even greater future," said Barroso in a speech in Tsinghua university.
During a press conference Friday, before his departure to Shanghai for the opening ceremony of the World Expo, Barroso also said the two sides had agreed to strengthen efforts in coping with global issues, and work together to realize "sound, stable and sustainable" global economic growth.
He described his Thursday talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao as "fruitful and open", saying they had a "candid conversation" and discussed bilateral ties, global issues such as energy, climate change, security, finance and monetary affairs.
He praised Wen's Thursday meeting with EU entrepreneurs, in which Wen pledged to offer fair conditions for Chinese and EU companies, to facilitate dialogue between foreign companies and the Chinese government, and encouraged foreign investors to seek business opportunities in China's economic reform.
Barroso will attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo, the first expo the EU will participate in outside Europe.
