2/20/2012,ChinaDaily.com

BEIJING - China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said on Friday that China will enhance dialogue and cooperation with Europe to boost friendship and bilateral ties.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the pledge during a meeting with Romano Prodi, former president of the European Union Commission and former president of Italy.

"It conforms with the fundamental interests of China and Europe to cooperate hand-in-hand, jointly cope with challenges and seek common development," Jia said.

China will improve dialogue and cooperation with the European side in various fields, jointly expand substantial cooperation and boost mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples, Jia said.

Jia also spoke highly of Sino-Italian relations, saying the countries were successfully cooperating in the fields of politics, economy, culture, science and technology, environmental protection, and international affairs.

He said China will work with Italy to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Prodi, in his turn, said Europe and China share broad common interests, and the two sides should further dialogue and communication, enhance mutual trust and cooperation amid the global trend of multi-polarization.

He said he expects Europe and China to resolve two major issues as early as possible, namely recognizing China's full-market economic status and ending Europe's arms embargo against China, so to pave the way for the long-term development of bilateral ties.

Prodi is here for a seminar hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.