Chinese premier congratulates Junker on election as European Commission president

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday congratulated Jean-Claude Juncker on his election as the president of the European Commission.

In his congratulatory message, Li said the relationship between China and the European Union (EU) is one of the most important bilateral ties in the world.

Since their comprehensive strategic partnership was established 10 years ago, China-EU ties have made substantial progress, with the EU already becoming China's biggest trading partner, Li said.

The ever deepening cooperation between China and the EU has brought concrete benefits to the two peoples and made great contributions to world peace and prosperity, he said.

The Chinese government has, as always, attached great importance to advancing its ties with the EU and staunchly supports the European integration process, Li said. And Beijing hopes to see a united and prosperous Europe.

China is ready to work with the EU to fully implement the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation and strive to build the four "bridges" of peace, growth, reform and progress of civilization between the two sides so as to prompt the mutually beneficial China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to make steady progress, the Chinese premier said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-07/16/c_133489098.htm