The European Union (EU)'s foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Thursday sent a message to Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, wishing China successful Olympic Games which are due to open on Friday.

"On the eve of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, I would like to tell you how much the European Union is anticipating this moment," said Solana, the EU high representative for the common foreign and security policy.

Solana, also secretary-general of the EU Council, said the EU is"full of admiration" for the efforts the Chinese nation has undertaken to host the world's greatest sport event and to share it with people from all over the world.

"We are looking forward to this joint celebration of friendship and sportsmanship, and we are grateful for the hospitality China extends to our citizens during their stay," he said.

"I am confident that the Olympic Games do not mark the end point of a development but rather the starting point to a future where the European Union and China will meet the common challenges of an interdependent world in an ever closer partnership," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)