Accessibility links

Breaking News

EU Leaders, Chinese President Meet In Beijing


5 September 2005 -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today in Beijing that he was "reasonably optimistic" that a solution would be found to the European Union's trade dispute with China.

Blair is in China for the annual summit between the EU and China, which this year is overshadowed by a trade dispute over textiles.

Millions of Chinese textile items, mostly clothing, are being blocked in European ports because they exceed import quotas agreed to by both sides in June.

Blair already met with Chinese President Hu Jintao for talks that a Blair spokesman said focused on fighting climate change and reforming the United Nations.

Also present at the meeting were European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, and Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

(AP/DPA/AFP)

(Reuters/AFP)
XS
SM
MD
LG