China wants to strengthen cooperation with EU: vice premier

China is willing to work with the European Union (EU) to boost exchanges and cooperation in various fields, to "inject new impetus into the sound growth of China-EU business ties," Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai said in an article published Thursday in the French newspaper Les Echos.

Pointing to challenges in the face of a slow global economic recovery,

Ma, who is currently leading a Chinese delegation to participate in the fourth High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue between China and the EU, said the two sides "need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, which is essential not just for both sides but also the world at large."

"The recent settlement of the China-EU trade dispute over the photovoltaic products indicates that we have the capability and wisdom to manage trade frictions and to achieve win-win outcomes," said Ma.

He emphasized that the Chinese government "will continue to place importance on its relations with the EU, firmly support European integration and endeavor to promote continued growth of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership."

"China-EU economic cooperation and trade have given a strong boost to the growth of both Chinese and European economies, bringing real benefits to our peoples," said Ma.

"The accelerated urbanization and industrialization in China will unleash huge development potentials, and offer a bigger market and more business opportunities to EU countries and other countries around the world," he wrote.