The upcoming October 1 will mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Over the past 60 years, in particular since the reform and opening up more than 30 years ago, China has transformed from a closed, backward and poor country into an open, progressive and prosperous country. China has improved the living standards of all Chinese people in an unprecedented way and made significant contribution to world peace and development.

China has made comprehensive progress in economic, political, social and other undertakings. After 60 years of development and construction, China's GDP ranks third in the world, accounting for 6.4% of the world economy; import and export trade volume rose to the third in the world, with its share of world trade standing at 7.9%. Average income increased by more than 100 times. Population living in absolute poverty decreased from 250 million in 1978 to 14.79 million in 2007, achieving ahead of schedule a number of United Nations Millennium Development Goals. In the past 60 years, China has made great achievements in democracy and rule of law, with the people taking broad participation in political life. The socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, with the Constitution as the core, has basically taken shape. Human rights have been more fully protected in the legislative, judicial and law enforcement. In China, education, science and technology, health, culture and other social undertakings develop vigorously; the social security system is gradually established and improved. The people's quality of life and well-being has continuous improved, with fresh cultural and spiritual outlook. Over the past 60 years, the Chinese Communist Party has relied on the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system to fully mobilize, inspire and unite the wisdom and strength of the whole society, effectively implement the historic mission of working for the people, and has led the Chinese people to write a brilliant chapter in the history of China's development and human progress.

China's 60-year development has provided the impetus for deepening and expansion of China-EU relations, creating the conditions for the two parties to achieve common prosperity and development. As two important rising forces, the two sides have established comprehensive strategic partnership, sharing many common or similar views on concepts of international relations. We also have wide-ranging common interests in tackling the common challenges facing human society and have conducted effective coordination and cooperation on international affairs. The all-round, wide-ranging and multi-level cooperation between China and EU have brought tremendous benefits to both sides. EU has become China's largest trading partner, source of imports, export market and supplier of technology imports. China is the EU's second largest trading partner and fastest growing export market. With the release of China's market potential, European products, technologies and services are presented with enormous opportunity to enter China. China-EU economic and trade cooperation, while promoting China's economic growth, help every European family save hundreds of Euros each year on average, enable the enterprises to reduce production costs, helping European countries to control inflation, and create millions of jobs in Europe. With the deepening and widening of China's opening up, China and the EU are developing increasingly active exchanges in the areas of culture, education, language, political parties, think tanks, media, youth, and associations, through many channels and producing far-reaching influence to contribute to mutual understanding and friendship between the two sides.

Of course, China-EU relations are not always plain sailing. It also experienced difficulties and twists and turns. One reason is differences in historic and cultural traditions, social systems and levels of economic development. But it also shows that mutual understanding and trust is inadequate. History is our best teacher. The two sides should always insist on mutual respect, equality and open mind focus more on common ground. We need to take a progressive look at each other, know each other and understand each other. We need to transcend differences in ideology and values, because this is the basic premise to enhance mutual trust. Through vision, long-term thinking and dialogue, the two sides can properly handle differences in specific areas, issues and details, so as to take good care of each other's concerns, and strive to expand common interests. Such is an important guarantee for comprehensive and stable development of China-EU cooperation. The two sides should see China-EU relations from its historic, strategic and global dimension. We need to translate common views on international affairs into common action, in order to join hands and meet the challenges facing the world, promote world harmony, stability and sustainable development. This is necessary requirement to increase the strategic dimension of China-EU relations.

The 60th anniversary of founding of the PRC is also a new starting point for the cause of China's reform and opening up. A prosperous, harmonious and stable China will create more new opportunities for China-EU relations. We are confident that China and the EU will be able to grasp the opportunity, build on the momentum, to promote the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level for the benefit of the people of China, Europe and the world.