On March 16, 2015, State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with President Martin Schulz of the European Parliament in Beijing.

Yang Jiechi said that the Chinese side has always seen Europe as a major force in the international arena, firmly supported the construction of European integration, and been committed to deepening the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual benefit and win-win results. The two sides have established the grand goal to forge a four major partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilization. I hope that both sides could take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship this year as an opportunity to inject more new momentum into the China-EU relations.

Schulz said that the European Parliament is willing to make efforts to further push forward the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership.