The party leading the world's second largest economy is more open-minded and continues to be committed to fulfilling its responsibility both domestically and internationally, a senior European party leader said in Beijing Tuesday.

Martin Schulz, chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, talks with reporters on the sideline of 2nd China-Europe Political Parties Forum in Beijing, May 17, 2011. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Martin Schulz, chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, said he was astonished with the openness of exchanges between the Communist Party of China (CPC) leaders and European party delegates who attended a three-day forum in Beijing. "…this is a step forward between friends and it must be possible to agree to disagree," Schulz said.

"Taking into account of importance and political impact of China, it's not sufficient only to discuss about economic relations," Schulz said. "We need political cooperation."

To further the dialogue and communication between the CPC and European parties, the CPC and European delegates discussed common grounds for development blueprints shared by China and the Europe and new opportunities the two can cooperate in the next five to 10 years.

"A cleaner development of all industries, more research and investment in alternative energy are defined in China's 12th Five-Year Plan and the EU 2020 Strategy," Schulz said. "And industrial development, financial market controls and sustainable development are the important things we have in common ahead we have to solve."

Commenting on the CPC's efforts in building China into a world leading power, he also added the party has been "carefully looking to what China could contribute to the world to assure peace within the country and by the country for the whole world … with a very serious commitment".