Government and Policy

China, Europe parties launch 2nd forum in Beijing

By Du Wenjuan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-16 21:01

European political party leaders are seen at the opening ceremony of the Second China-Europe High-Level Political Parties Forum in Beijing, May 16, 2011. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Second China-Europe High-Level Political Parties Forum opens Monday afternoon in Beijing. The forum will focus on a blueprint for development for the next five to 10 years which China and Europe will share.

Over 84 political party or party group representatives from 20 European nations participate in the first session of the forum with the CPC.

"China and Europe have a lot in common in their development plans, the 12th Five-Year Plan and Europe 2020 Strategy, and share a lot of common interests in both economies," said Liu Yunshan, member of the Politburo and Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Department of Publicity.

Liu also said strengthening dialogue and cooperation between political parties in various areas is a task facing both sides in blueprinting for further development in an effort to recover from the financial crisis.

"The global impact of the economic and financial crisis has been a wake-up call and increased interdependence needs to be balanced by a more coherent political response on the global level," said Martin Schulz, Chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.

(From left to right) Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Martin Schulz, Chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, and Liu Yunshan, Member of the Politburo and Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Department of Publicity, are seen at the opening ceremony of the Second China-Europe High-Level Political Parties Forum in Beijing, May 16, 2011. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Both the Europe Union and China are determined to emerge stronger from the crisis and the forum offers a good opportunity for the two to discuss openly and friendly about differences, Schulz said.

The theme for the forum is "China's 12th Five-Year Plan and Europe 2020 Strategy: New Opportunities and Prospects for China-Europe Cooperation". The theme is devised to promote political mutual-trust, expand consensus and explore new growth opportunities for practical cooperation between China and Europe.

Europe 2020 is the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade. This year marks both massive development plans.

The three-day event also includes a meeting between Chinese and European company heads in Tianjin on Wednesday, the organizer said.

The second session of the forum will be held in November in Brussels, the organizer said.