A string of top leaders took turns to meet their European Union counterparts yesterday as the two sides held their annual leaders' summit, including newly promoted Politburo Standing Committee member Li Keqiang .
Tipped to be one of China's next top leaders, Mr Li, a close ally of President Hu Jintao , made his foreign reception debut yesterday morning when he met European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso and other EU officials at the Great Hall of the People.
Mr Li's opening remarks showed slight nervousness but were on the whole smooth and delivered with a smile.
'This is my first meeting with foreign guests since I took up this new capacity at the 17th National Congress [of the Communist Party]. It is my pleasure to meet you, your colleagues, and friends from the European Union,' he told his guests.
He underlined China's decades-long relationship with the EU which 'goes back to the days of the European Community' and stressed that 'now we have a comprehensive partnership, and political dialogue and consultation mechanism at all levels'.
Mr Li, the former party boss of Liaoning province , highlighted China-EU co-ordination on major international issues and fast growing business ties, which are expected to deliver Euro300 billion (HK$3.44 trillion) in bilateral trade this year.