Barroso says ties with China top priority of EU foreign policy

BRUSSELS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Friday that relations with China is a top priority of the European Union (EU)'s foreign policy.

In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the EU Song Zhe, Barroso said the EU is willing to take the opportunity of the forthcoming 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the 11th EU-China Summit to strengthen the EU-China cooperation in bilateral and international affairs, thus to give a new impetus to the development of the EU-China relations.

Barroso and the Chinese ambassador discussed matters concerning ASEM to be held in Beijing on Oct. 24-25 and the EU-China Summit scheduled for the end of the year in France.

They also exchanged views on such issues as the current financial crisis and globalization.

Barroso said he was looking forward to attending ASEM and wished it a great success.

The EU chief also congratulated China on the success of the Beijing Olympics