By Le Tian and Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-28 07:48

The 10th China-EU Summit will be an excellent opportunity to review bilateral ties and chart a future course, European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso said Tuesday.

Delivering a speech at the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on the eve of the summit, Barroso said the EU is approaching the summit with confidence.

"Whatever our divergences on certain issues, our partnership has proven its worth and our dialogue and cooperation have expanded accordingly," he said.

The EU is determined to move ahead with China both on bilateral ties and global issues, especially on energy and global warming, an effective dynamic trade system and world development aid, he said.

"We have demonstrated, through our policies and actions, our interest in China's stability, prosperity and success," and the EU will continue to engage in China's development.

Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the annual summit, which will also have Jose Socrates, prime minister of Portugal, which holds the rotating EU presidency, and Barroso.

There are great similarities between China's Scientific Outlook on Development and the EU's "sustainable development" approaches, Barroso said. Hence, there is immense scope for cooperation and exchange of experience between the two sides' companies, universities, researchers and civil society.

The EU has consistently adhered to the one-China policy, the EC president said. "I am convinced that stability across the Taiwan Straits is integral to the stability and prosperity of East Asia and the wider international community.

"We welcome initiatives by both sides aimed at promoting dialogue, practical cooperation and increased confidence building."

At a regular news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Tuesday that the EU should oppose all moves towards Taiwan independence.

"As a comprehensive strategic partner, we hope the EU will be entirely affirmative on the issue of opposing Taiwan independence," Qin said.

While Barroso was speaking at the Party school, the highest financial and monetary leaders of Euro Zone and China held their first dialogue on macroeconomic and monetary issues.

Referring to the dialogue, Barroso said he believed it would lead to better mutual understanding and mitigate several mutual concerns.

In response, Qin said China understood the EU's concerns and hoped it too would understand China's position.

"The Chinese government has already allowed a great deal more flexibility in the currency exchange rate, and will stick to the principles of independent, self-managed and gradual reforms."

While the yuan, pegged to a basket of currencies including the dollar, euro and yen, has gained against the greenback, it has fallen against the euro.