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China-EU dialogue a sign of improving ties

By Tan Yingzi and Zhang Haizhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-16 07:37

Tomas Pojar, first vice-foreign minister of the Czech Republic, will lead a European Union (EU) delegation at the fourth China-EU strategic dialogue to be held in Beijing next Monday, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

Pojar is expected to meet Vice-Foreign Minister Li Hui, sending a strong signal that both sides want to improve ties.

"We expect the dialogue to strengthen mutual trust, expand common ground and deepen cooperation for a long-term, sound, stable progress of China-EU ties," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press briefing.

The Czech Republic took over the six-month rotating presidency of the EU from France on Jan 1.

Jiang said: "We haven't changed our policy of further promoting a comprehensive strategic partnership" with the EU.

Chinese analysts said the visit showed that the Czech Republic was eager to boost Sino-EU relations.

Pojar "chose to visit China soon after his country assumed the EU presidency that shows it is eager to promote ties," said Wu Baiyi, a researcher on European affairs with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.