Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Thursday that China hopes to advance the all-round strategic partnership with the EU.

"As the EU occupies an important place in China's foreign affairs, China would like to enhance its all-round strategic partnership with the EU," Hu told the visiting European Parliament President Josep Borrell Fontelles in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Since China forged diplomatic ties with the EU in 1975, relations have progressed soundly with fruitful cooperation achieved in various fields, Hu said.

Hu called for China and the EU to enhance trust and address mutual concerns.

China appreciated the EU's adherence to the one-China policy, Hu said.

Hailing China's economic boom, Fontelles said the European Parliament would like to further its ties with China's National People's Congress to boost EU-China relations.

Fontelles is the first European Parliament president to have visited China in 13 years. During his China tour, Fontelles visited the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2006)