European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana (L) and Chinese ambassador to the EU, Guan Chengyuan. (File Photo) 

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana extended in Brussels on Thursday (Feb 22) his best wishes to the EU-China relations in 2007.

"In 2006, the relations between the EU and China are profound, solid and good, I hope our relations can be better in 2007," Solana told Xinhua when he visited the residence of Chinese ambassador to the EU, Guan Chengyuan.

Solana said the annual EU-China summit will be held in Beijing later this year, and he hoped that he would pay an office visit to China apart from attending the summit on that occasion.

The EU foreign policy chief spoke highly of China's role in handling the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

"I'd like to congratulate Chinese leaders on successfully handling this issue, which not only contributes to the peace and stability in the region, but also to the stability of the world," he said.

Solana also extended his new-year greetings to the Chinese people as the Chinese are celebrating their lunar new year, the Spring Festival.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to the Chinese people, and I have quite a lot of friends there," he said.

Solana said "the year of golden pig" is a vital year for the EU-China relations, hoping that both sides would push the bilateral relations and work together for the common objective of building a better world.

According to Chinese lunar calendar, the year of 2007 is so-called the year of golden pig, implying a prosperous and auspicious year.

Editor: Wing