The Chinese government values the China-EU all-around strategic partnership, said Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi in Beijing Friday.
Wu made the remarks in a meeting with visiting newly appointed European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.
The European Union has become the largest trade partner of China, and China the second largest trade partner of the European Union, Wu said, noting that promoting China-EU relations and economic cooperation accords with common interests of the two sides.
Mandelson said all circles in Europe were focusing on changes taking place in China in recent years and the achievements made in China's economic construction.
The European Union will seriously treat China's concern about such issues as the full market economy status and arms embargo on China.
The two sides also exchanged views on global integration of textile and China-EU agreements on trade and economic cooperation.
Mandelson is here on a visit to China starting from Thursday as guest of Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2005)