In the coming years, China's implementation of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) and Europe's implementation of the "Europe 2020" strategy will create great prospects for deeper China-Europe cooperation across the board.

Throughout China's decades-long endeavor of reform, opening-up and modernization, Europe has given China invaluable support and gained significantly in return. A stable relationship of mutually beneficial cooperation has been established between the two sides. In a world moving toward multipolarity, if China and Europe can work together, it will facilitate the goal of making the 21st century the first century of peace and cooperation in human history.

The process of development and integration of European countries has never been without difficulties or twists and turns, hence the unique phenomenon that the EU is always "moving forward amidst crisis". Today, the EU is as the world's largest economy and trading bloc as well as the issuer of the world's second most important currency. The official development assistance provided by the EU and its member states exceeds half of the world's total.

The EU has become a pillar on the global landscape and a major force ensuring balanced development of international relations. No single global issue can be effectively resolved without the EU. Cooperation with the EU by all world powers is, without exception, deepening.

China's perception of Europe can best be characterized by two "commitments". China is a committed supporter of European integration and China is committed to advancing comprehensive strategic cooperation with the EU. A united, growing and open Europe serves world peace and stability. And it serves the common interests of both China and Europe. That is why China has lent a helping hand to its European partners in times of crisis.

Admittedly, it is important for any country, any system or any mechanism to keep pace with the times. Whether and how Europe will get out of the predicament depends ultimately on the willingness and hard work of European countries themselves for even deeper adjustments. China has followed closely the development of the European sovereign debt crisis. China hopes that the countries concerned will emerge from the crisis and that the EU will continue to contribute its share to international peace and development.

Ancient Chinese wisdom has it that a good chess player strategizes the whole game. In this ever-changing and complex world, one needs to make the right judgment and grasp the right course of development. One needs to keep in mind both the immediate and local interests and the long-term and overarching interests.

The overall trend in the world today is toward peace and development. It forms the basis of China's perception of the EU and its handling of relations with the EU. As agreed between Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Catherine Ashton, EU's foreign policy chief, at the China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue in May, China and the EU can and should contribute to international cooperation in the 21st century.

The author is vice-minister of foreign affairs.

(China Daily 06/25/2011 page5)