CRI听力:China Economic Growth Enviable: EP President

China and the EU are celebrating the 40th anniversary of official diplomatic relations. Visiting European Parliament President Martin Schulz says that a healthy relationship between China and EU would not only be good to China and EU, but also to the peace and prosperity of the world.

"The Chinese European relations are key for a sustainable and peaceful development in the world and there is in my eyes no serious alternative to an open minded dialogue. An open minded dialogue means we don't share all the views and we are not all about items of the same opinion, but this is the first step to the mutual understanding to express and explain their own view and to be open to accept the views of the other side."

President Schulz says that EU is now seriously considering acknowledging China's market economy status, but he also stressed on equal footing on accesses to each other's market.

Talking about China's planned GDP growth rate of 7 percent for 2015, the president says that European leaders are envious of such economic expansion.

"As a European leader, we are jealous to listen to such growth rates; I think a lot of European countries would be happy to discuss about 7 percent. Therefore, I hope that the growth will be sustainable. We should not underestimate growth; in our time it means that we have to manage growth and environmental questions at the same time."

President Schulz says that China and EU have also agreed to conduct extensive cooperation in wider areas like in combating climate change and fighting terrorism.

Experts say that Schulz has sent out positive signals from the European Parliament. Xing Hua is a senior researcher with the Department for European Studies, China Institute of International Studies.

"We notice that the new President of the European Parliament has shown a very positive, very kind attitude towards China, towards the evolution of China's political and economic situation, and we are convinced that by such kind of visit, there will be certainly a better mutual confidence, better mutual understanding between legislators and the people of China and the European Union."

Meeting with Martin Schulz in Beijing on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the two sides should consider the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a new starting point, and work together to increase political interactions and practical cooperation.

For his part, Schulz says it is important for Europe and China to consolidate their relationship as they share many common interests and are faced with similar problems.

For CRI I'm Qian Shanming.