Chinese top political advisor's European tour promotes friendship, cooperation

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin's official goodwill visit to Greece, the Netherlands and Germany has deepened the friendship, promoted cooperation and enhanced understanding between China and the three nations, a Chinese official says. The visit was important in further deepening the friendship and mutual trust, promoting pragmatic cooperation and pushing forward the healthy development of relations between China and Europe, said Wang Shenghong, vice secretary general of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Jia, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, had in-depth exchanges of views and reached broad consensus with government and parliament leaders of the three countries on issues related to bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common interest, said Wang, who accompanied Jia on the tour from Oct. 23 to Nov. 4. During his visits, Jia also witnessed the signing of 15 inter-governmental agreements and commercial contracts, had extensive contact with people from different walks of life and visited some big-name companies. STRENGTHEN POLITICAL MUTUAL TRUST AND BUILD UP BILATERAL TIES During meetings and talks with leaders of the three countries, Jia expressed China's readiness to maintain the high-level exchanges of visits, build up political mutual trust, advance pragmatic cooperation, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen coordination in international affairs, Wang said. Jia said China is ready to work with the three nations to further advance bilateral ties and China-European Union (EU) relations. Greece's government and parliament leaders thanked China for its precious support at a time when Greece is being badly hurt by the financial crisis. Dutch leaders expressed their willingness to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China in their joint response to the Europe debt crisis and other challenges. And German leaders praised China's positive role in overcoming the effects of the international financial crisis and stabilizing the world economy, Wang said.