Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C), European Council President Herman Van Rompuy (L), and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) meet with reporters after they attended the 14th China-EU summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 14, 2012. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Describing the relations between the EU and China as "interrelated," Van Rompuy called on the two sides to convert the bilateral strategic partnership into new opportunities.

The EU is China's largest trade partner, while China is close to being the EU's largest trading partner, he said, noting that the bilateral trade volume per day has exceeded 1 billion euros.

Van Rompuy called on the two sides to provide convenience for bilateral trade and investment, in an effort to improve bilateral trade relations.

In order to boost economic development and employment, he suggested that the long-term strategy of EU-China cooperation should focus on innovation, scientific research and technology, energy, networks as well as a new partnership on sustainable urbanization.

With regards to granting full market economy status to China, Van Rompuy said the two sides have listed the issue in the joint statement which will be released after the summit.

The two sides have attached great importance to, and stepped up their efforts in, addressing the issue, and will resolve it in the fastest and most comprehensive way, he said, citing Article 10 of the statement.

Although the issue remains unresolved, the two sides have a strong political will to settle it, he said, noting that the consensus was an important contribution made by the summit.

In the press conference, Barroso voiced the EU's support for China's restructuring of its economic growth pattern, which will focus on boosting domestic demand.

He expressed satisfaction over bilateral trade relations, noting that prosperous trade relations have boosted employment, innovation and economic growth for both sides.

According to statistics, the bilateral trade volume has reached 560 billion euros.

Barroso stressed the importance of creating a fair and open competition environment for both sides' businesses, which will encourage growth and innovation.

In 2012, the EU and China will start a series of negotiations, and the most important among them will be negotiations on a two-way investment agreement, he said.

Regarding EU-China's new partnership on sustainable urbanization, Barroso said the program will push forward the development of the green economy, urban planning, energy security and migration management for both sides.

The EU and China are determined to make joint efforts in coping with a multitude of global challenges, he said, noting that the two sides have reached strategic consensus at the summit on maintaining stable and sustainable economic growth and will jointly work toward this goal.