On March 29, 2009, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, visiting commissioner for external relations of the European Commission.

During the meeting, Yang said the China-EU relationship got off to a good start this year. He singled out Premier Wen Jiabao's successful visit to Europe. "This visit will help China and the European Union strengthen their determination and confidence in deepening the bilateral strategic partnership," he told Ferrero-Waldner.

Currently the international situation is undergoing profound changes and the financial crisis is spreading. Against this backdrop, Yang said China and the European Union should take a strategic approach and increase cooperation to deal with the challenges posed by global issues. President Hu Jintao will attend the Group of 20 financial summit in Britain scheduled for April 1-2. "We always take a responsible approach to joining preparations for the summit," Yang said, noting that China would increase communication with the EU to help the summit achieve success.

Ferrero-Waldner told Yang that both the EU and China had important international responsibilities in coping with the financial crisis, climate change and other global challenges. EU-China relations were taking on more of a global sense, she noted. The EU firmly adheres to the one-China policy and will continue efforts to push forward its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, Ferrero-Waldner said.

Yang and Ferrero-Waldner also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.