国内英语新闻:Premier Wen urges EU to recognize China's market economy status

BRUSSELS, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday called on the European Union (EU) to recognize China's market economy status and remove its arms embargo against it.

Speaking at a China-EU summit here, Wen said the summit mechanism, the highest-level platform for bilateral political talks, should push for an end to the two outstanding difficulties.

The summit should enhance its role as provider of strategic guidance, and clear the way for further advancement of China-EU ties, he told the summit, co-chaired by him, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attends the 13th China-EU Summit in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Oct. 6, 2010.

China would work with the EU to achieve balanced and sustainable development of bilateral trade, improve investment environment and enhance cooperation in financial and fiscal policy-making processes, Wen added.

Meanwhile, the two sides should make concerted efforts to further expand hi-tech cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, push for the reform of the international financial system and maintain coordination on climate change, energy security and hot regional affairs, the Chinese premier said.

All responsible countries in the world should refrain from launching trade or currency wars, Wen said, expressing the hope that the European side would take an objective and fair stance on China's currency exchange rate.

Wen said China has expressed its support for and confidence in the 27-member European bloc, and believes that a strong and stable EU is conducive to the world as well as to China.