By Martin Banks - 21st May 2009
It is absolutely vital that the EU and China work closely together
Dirk Sterckx
A senior MEP has welcomed news that the EU and China have patched up differences at their summit in Prague.
At the one-day gathering on Wednesday, the two sides pledged to create a new global order to combat the financial crisis, dwindling world trade and climate change.
Belgian ALDE deputy Dirk Sterckx says this is "particularly welcome" as relations between China and the EU became strained after December's EU-China summit was postponed over Beijing's opposition to a meeting between Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The Chinese were also incensed at parliament's decision to invite the Dalai Lama to address MEPs in Brussels last autumn.
A spate of trade squabbles have also rankled relations between the two major trading powers.
Sterckx, outgoing leader of parliament's delegation to China, said, "Events last year were very damaging for the relationship and that could not be allowed to continue.
"It is absolutely vital that the EU and China work closely together to tackle not just the current economic crisis but also other crucial issues like climate change.
"This, of course, does not mean Brussels and Beijing have to agree on everything," said Sterckx, who led a delegation to Beijing and Shanghai last year.
The former TV presenter, a candidate in June's elections, added, "What the EU has to do now, though, is think more clearly about what its strategy is towards China.
"We also have to remain vigilant when it comes to things like the rule of law and human rights in China."
Further comment came from Wang Xining, spokesman of the Chinese mission to the EU, who said, "During the summit, the leaders of both sides had an indepth exchang of views on China-EU relations and major international issues,and they reached extensive consensus. The summit therefore achieved full success.
"The summit's achievement is of major importance, as it deepened our mutual understanding and trust, consolidated our comprehensive and strategic partnership, promoted our bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially in confronting the ongoing global challenges.
"I believe that after the summit, China-EU relations will achieve faster and better development."
At Wednesday's summit, hosted by the Czech EU presidency at Prague Castle, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao said, "During the summit we exchanged views on how to tackle the international financial crisis.
"We both recognise that it is important for us to work together, to ride out the storm and make our contribution to an early world economic recovery.
"It is impossible for a couple of countries or group of big powers to resolve all global issues. Multipolarity or multilateralism represent the larger trend. Some say that world affairs will be managed solely by China and the United States. I think that view is baseless and wrong."
EU exports to China rose to €78 billion euros in 2008 from €26bn in 2000, while imports from China rose from €75bn to € 248bn over the same period.
Wen said the fact he had travelled 10 hours to the Czech capital for a two hour summit and was returning straight away showed China's commitment to wipe the slate clean with Europe.
