Li Jinjun (C), vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, talks as Elmar Brok (R), chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, and Reinhard Bütikofer (L), vice-president of the Greens / EFA group, listen at a press breakfast after the third China-EU High Level Political Parties Forum in Brussels, May 31, 2012.

Brussels - Li Jinjun, vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said the political parties forum constitutes a special pillar in promoting a comprehensive strategic China-EU partnership.

The communication between China and EU mainly used three mechanisms before – political leaders, economic, and cultural, but the inter-party dialogues made up the fourth pillar in increasing China-EU relations, Li said at the end of the third China-EU High Level Political Parties Forum.

Li concluded that the forum is above ideological differences, and with participation from both sides, the topics combine both theoretical discussions with real measures.

China and EU have not shied away from differences, such as on human rights, but worked together to increase mutual understandings, Li added.

China believes it takes time and it is a process to protect human rights, especially in a populous country like China, and EU should take notice of the progress China has made while not exaggerating individual cases, Li said.

CPC’s ruling philosophy has changed too, from the emphasis on class struggle in the past to people-orientated policies under the framework of scientific development.

Li also said the forum has adopted an innovative approach in content and form. It has created an atmosphere of working together for better relations and reached extensive consensus on strategic, directional and overall importance of issues.

Li called on China and EU politicians to continue the forum in the spirit of equality and mutual trust.