Premier Wen Jiabao told European Union representatives in Beijing yesterday that both parties should work together to resolve trade disputes over textiles under the umbrella of their overall relationship.
"We should proceed on the basis of maintaining the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU, strengthen dialogue and exchange on an equal footing and seek an appropriate way to resolve the trade issues," Wen said during a meeting with Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Britain's ambassador to China, Christopher Hum.
The United States and the European Union, at the request of producers who claim they've been hurt by a flood of Chinese textiles, began procedures last month that could lead to limitations on Chinese textile imports.
Chinese Trade Minister Bo Xilai urged the European Union last week not to overreact on the textile issue. During a Paris meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, Bo said limitations on Chinese textiles not only harms China's interests but also damages the interests of EU importers, retailers and consumers.
Worldwide textile quotas were eliminated at the beginning of this year as a result of a World Trade Organization commitment. China has imposed tariffs on textile exports in a bid to ease world worries about a surge of its products.
Wen stressed that China's self-imposed measures on textile exports have produced positive results. He promised China will implement more "effective measures" to exercise  "macro-control" of its textile sector.
"We will take further economic measures to prevent excessive growth of China's textile and garment exports," Wen said. "These measures are also aimed at restructuring China's textile sector and ensuring healthy, sustainable growth."
China-EU trade reached US$177.3 billion in 2004, up 73 times from the level in 1975 when China and the European Community forged full diplomatic relations. The European Union became China's top trade partner last year after the organization expanded to 25 members. China was EU's second-largest trade partner.
Also on the agenda for the Beijing meetings were discussion on Taiwan, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the EU arms embargo against China, the situation in Myanmar and reforms at the United Nations.
Hailing EU-China political and trade relations, Ferrero-Waldner said a new framework is needed to advance bilateral trade and economic ties.
"It's time to reflect the vibrancy of our relations with an ambitious new agreement that will help us move to a fully fledged strategic partnership," she said.
China and the European Community, which marked 30 years of diplomatic ties this year, agreed to forge "a comprehensive strategic partnership" in 2003.
On other matters, Ferrero-Waldner said the Taiwan issue will be given "special attention" during the meetings and that the trade block will adhere to a one-China policy.
The senior official said at a news briefing that the European Union "always supported the one-China policy," and the Taiwan issue will be discussed "particularly in light of the current visit by Taiwan opposition leader James Soong."
"We welcome any move to promote dialogue," she said.
Ferrero-Waldner said Soong's tour and the recent mainland visit by a Kuomintang delegation led by KMT Chairman Lien Chan are "good starting points."
"We hope that recent contact on this level can lead to dialogue with all political parties in Taiwan," she said.