国内英语新闻:China urges "balanced understanding" during strategic dialogue with EU

GUIYANG, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China Wednesday called for the European Union to have a balanced, objective, comprehensive understanding of the world's largest developing country during an upgraded strategic dialogue held in the underdeveloped province of Guizhou.

State Councilor Dai Bingguo told the EU side that despite rapid economic growth, China has no possibility to be arrogant, nor is it pretending to be a richer or poorer country than it actually is, with unfathomable strategic intentions, according to Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying.

"China expects the EU to treat itself as an equal," Dai was quoted by Fu as telling EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.

The meeting was the fifth strategic dialogue between the two sides and the first since it was upgraded from vice foreign-minister level to its current level.

China had made remarkable achievements since its reform and opening up to the outside, but it is still a developing country, Dai said.

China has a clear understanding of its position in the international arena and its current level of development, Dai said, adding it will focus on economic development in the long run.

China has not been, nor is, nor will be in the pursuit of hegemony, but adheres to the path of peaceful development, Dai said.

China needs a peaceful international environment for development and its development will promote global peace and development, he said.

Ashton echoed Dai, saying that the European Union should have a comprehensive understanding of China.

The EU's view of China's development was one topic of the one-day closed-door meeting.

"It is one major aim of this strategic dialogue to enhance mutual understanding between China and the European Union. Both sides have a strong will to better understand each other and promote political mutual trust, so as to promote bilateral cooperation," said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying in an interview with Xinhua.

The two sides also discussed the international situation and the development of the China-EU relationship.

On the international situation, China urged all countries to join hands to cope with global challenges.

On China-EU relations, China said it supports EU integration. The two sides should strengthen political dialogue, enhance strategic mutual trust, expand cooperation, properly handle sensitive issues and have more people-to-people exchanges, so as to promote a strategic partnership of cooperation.