Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (R) meets with Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2013. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Margaret Ashton on Saturday.

Yang hailed the developments made in China-EU relations over the past decade, adding that it is of great significance for the two sides to strengthen communication, increase mutual understanding and expand cooperation.

He called on the two sides to demonstrate wisdom in exploring the potential of bilateral relations and jointly oppose trade protectionism, so as to upgrade the level of bilateral cooperation.

Ashton said the EU is satisfied with the development of EU-China relations thus far.

The EU is ready to work with China to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, she said.

Defense Minister Chang Wanquan also met with Ashton on Saturday.