Tian Congming, president of the Xinhua News Agency, met here on Sunday with European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Tian said during the meeting that relations between China and the EU were very good and both sides share common interests and positions on a wide range of issues.

Xinhua is actively reporting the EU affairs and has played an important role in promoting the relations between China and Europe, Tian said.

Tian said Xinhua has long reported the politics, economy and diplomacy of the EU in an objective and timely manner, helping the Chinese people to learn more about Europe.

Solana said China is an important country and that the EU and China have strengthened cooperation in trade, economy and diplomatic affairs.

Solana said he believed that both the EU and China would play amore important role in the international arena in the future. They would also play an increasingly significant role in keeping world peace and stability, he said.

Solana appreciated Xinhua's reporting, saying that Xinhua has helped the general public in China to gain a comprehensive understanding of the EU.