State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Beijing Tuesday with a delegation from the Party of European Socialists (PES) headed by the party's president Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.

Highlighting the important role played by China and the European Union (EU), Tang said that China and the EU are both important powers in the world and thus shoulder significant responsibility for the peace, stability and prosperity of the world.

The two sides should handle bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, Tang said, suggesting that the two continue to consolidate strategic common understanding and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

"The two should address disputes and differences with the best interests of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership in mind," Tang noted.

He also spoke positively about the contribution made by the PES to promote China-EU relations, expressing his hope that the party could continue its efforts to boost bilateral ties and strengthen the exchange of information and cooperation with the Chinese side.

Echoing Tang's view, Rasmussen highlighted the achievements that China has made during its social and economic construction, promising that the PES would contribute to the development of the EU-China relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on international issues such as the Middle East and Darfur.

Before meeting with Tang, Rasmussen also met with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2007)