In the coming five years, China's per unit GDP energy consumption will be cut by 20 per cent.

"This is no easy task, but we are confident to meet the goal," said the premier, saying China can certainly blaze a new trail in sustainable development.

"Meanwhile, we are also actively seeking international co-operation to jointly safeguard global energy security," he said.

In his speech, Wen put forward four-point proposals to enhance China-EU business partnership:

Expanding technological co-operation in various fields. Europe, which is strong in information technology, bio-medicine, machinery, automobile, electronics, chemistry and energy sector, is encouraged by Wen to find opportunities in China.

Strengthening co-operation in energy and environment protection. China's ambition of building an energy-conserving and environment-friendly society has increased its growing demand for new energy.

Deepening partnership in agricultural and service sector. Europe's advanced agricultural technologies could serve China's goal of building a new rural area.

Promoting co-operation between small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Chinese and European SMEs are mutually complementary in capital, technology, business model and management.

Gunther Verheugen, vice president of the European Commission, said that Europe looks at China with mixture of fascination and fears, referring to strong competition from some Chinese products, such as shoes.

"We have to accept competition, you (European companies) can not expect us to protect you against competition from China," he said at the forum.

China and European, described by Verheugen as "the most dynamic region" and the "most innovative region", should seek the "win-win" situation by pushing Europe's integration with China.

Jorma Korhonen, a senior official with Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Wen's speech touched topics cared most by Europe, such as IPR protection, trade disputes and energy security.

"We should balance our trade through trading with each other, instead of seeking protectionism," he said in an interview with China Daily after hearing Wen's speech.

China and Europe should work with each other to make more innovative products, he noted.

Before leaving for London yesterday to continue his four-nation tour, Premier Wen met with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen as well as its President Tarja Halonen.

The Chinese Premier arrived in the Finnish capital on Saturday for the sixth Asia-Europe Meeting and China-EU Summit, as well as the official visit to Finland. Wen's Sept. 9-16 trip also includes stops in Britain and Germany and a meeting in Tajikistan of the six-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

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