China called Sunday for more cooperation with the European Union (EU) to expand the bilateral strategic partnership.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang made the remarks when meeting with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commissioner for external relations of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm.

"We should work together to lift our exchanges and cooperation in various fields to a new level, in an effort to benefit both peoples," Li said.

Li said at the beginning of their meeting that the commissioner's visit took place "when the China-EU relationship is undergoing resumption and further development."

He said he bore in mind the importance of the China-EU relationship and had therefore arranged his schedule to meet with Ferrero-Waldner.

"Faced with the current international financial crisis, China and the European Union should strengthen cooperation and turn the crisis into an opportunity to achieve better economic growth," Li said.

Li briefed the guests on China's steps to cope with the crisis. "We are confident about and capable of maintaining the stable growth of China's economy," he noted.

Echoing Li, Ferrero-Waldner said the European Union valued relations with China and was ready to work with China to jointly tackle the financial crisis and other global challenges and to push forward bilateral ties.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2009)