Chinese president says his Europe visit aims for peace, cooperation

China's President Xi Jinping arrives at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague March 24, 2014.[Photo/Xinhua]

THE HAGUE - Chinese President Xi Jinping said his current visit to Europe aims to promote peace and cooperation, to engage in experience sharing, and to enhance exchanges between the two different civilizations.

In a signed article published Sunday in the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad, Xi said he hopes his ongoing trip to the Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium will bring China-Netherlands and China-Europe relations to a new high.

In the article titled "Work together for common prosperity through the gateway to Europe," the Chinese leader called Europe an "important pole" in a multi-polar world and China's comprehensive strategic partner.

On the objectives of his ongoing trip, Xi said first, he is traveling to promote peace.

"The world needs development and development requires peace. The Chinese people, like people of other countries in the world, need a peaceful international environment to develop their country. They also stand ready to safeguard and promote world peace and development through their own development," he wrote.

In the Netherlands, Xi will attend the third Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague slated for Monday and Tuesday.

The Hague summit has "a historic mission to draw a blueprint for the future of the nuclear security process. The safety and security of nuclear materials and facilities as well as effective response to threat of nuclear terrorism matter not only to the security and stability of all countries but also to sustainable development of mankind," Xi said.

Second, the Chinese leader said he hopes his trip can promote cooperation.

"China and Europe enjoy one of the largest and most dynamic economic and trade relationships in the world," he said, adding the European Union (EU) is China's top trading partner and China the EU's second largest.

"They are the most important markets for each other with enormous potential and broad prospects for cooperation."

Cooperation between China and the EU extends far beyond the bilateral scope and takes on global significance, therefore, stronger China-EU cooperation will contribute not only to their respective development, but also to world peace, stability and prosperity, noted Xi, who is set to meet leaders of relevant countries and EU institutions on deepening China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding practical cooperation under new circumstances.

"I hope the two sides will identify areas where our development strategies could dovetail so as to deepen China-EU cooperation and jointly promote strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy."

Third, Xi said he hopes China and Europe can share experience in reform and development during his trip.

"China is comprehensively deepening reform, pursuing sustained and sound economic and social development and improving the standards and quality of people's lives. The EU has gained useful experience in tackling the sovereign debt issue and advancing European integration. China hopes to share experience with Europe so that both would benefit and succeed in their reform and development endeavors."

"We also hope to maintain close communication and coordination with Europe and work together for a rule-based and more transparent, fair, reasonable and effective international governance system," he said.

Also, the president said China and Europe, which represent two different civilizations, can learn from each other, stressing that people-to-people exchange is a positive factor for peace and development and an important driving force behind economic growth.

"China and Europe, representing the Eastern and Western civilizations, have both made indelible contribution to human progress ... Expanded people-to-people exchange is critical to increasing mutual understanding and social prosperity," he said.

Speaking of his visit to the Netherlands, Xi said the direct links of railway, cargo liners and commercial flights between China and the Netherlands "have given us a distinct advantage in all-dimensional connectivity."

"Our cooperation, which is wide in area, large in scale and driven by strong internal forces and is well known for its high efficiency and practical results, serves as a fine example in China-Europe cooperation," said Xi.

Xi arrived in the Netherlands Saturday for a state visit, the first one ever made by a Chinese president to the western European country since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1972.

During his visit, Xi has discussed with Dutch leaders on how to promote bilateral cooperation and had extensive contact with people from all walks of life.

"Together, we have charted the future course of our relations, enriched practical cooperation and elevated the bilateral relationship to a new and higher level."

"I am confident that 2014 will surely usher the China-Europe relations into a new period of great vigor and dynamism," Xi wrote.