On the afternoon of September 21, local time, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil, Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis respectively at the UN headquarters in New York.

During his meeting with Rompuy, Yang said the China-EU relationship now faces an important opportunity to develop under the new circumstances. China is willing to further expand dialogue, exchanges and cooperation with the EU and its members. He said China also welcomes Van Rompuy to come to China for the upcoming 14th China-EU leaders' meeting and hopes the meeting can produce more practical results. For his part, Van Rompuy said the EU attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides as well as the upcoming 14th China-EU leaders' meeting, expressing belief that the high-level meeting will be successful.

During his talks with Jalil, Yang said China recognizes the NTC as Libya's ruling authority and the representative of the Libyan people. China also supports Libya's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and development, he said. China has provided and will consider to provide further assistance within its capacity, Yang said, adding that China hopes cooperation between China and Libya will resume and develop for the benefit of the people. Jalil said the Libyan people respect the Chinese people and appreciate China's support in the Security Council and its assistance. Libya hopes to promote its ties with China, he said. With China's rising international status and leading role in dealing with international affairs, any country desiring development would choose to develop good relations with China, he said.

While the meeting his Cypriot counterpart Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, Yang said bilateral relations have been developing well and Cyprus is China's reliable friend and partner. China is willing to celebrate this year's 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties together with Cyprus, keep closer bilateral communication and step up exchanges of high-level visits. China would also like to import Cyprus' predominant products, encourage more Chinese business investment and enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples. He expressed hope that Cyprus, as a member of the EU, will play a more active role in promoting the 14th China-EU leaders' meeting and push forward China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. Kozakou Marcoullis said Cyprus regards China as its strategic partner and would like to take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties to strengthen cooperation with China and show the strong bilateral ties. Cyprus has always adhered to the one-China policy and been devoted to promoting China-Europe relations, the Cypriot foreign minister said.

In the meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Yang pointed out that China and Pakistan are sincere friends sharing weal and woe as well as strategic partners with mutual trust. China is confident of the prospect of bilateral ties and is ready to work with Pakistan to expand and deepen cooperation, he said. Yang also said China expresses its deep sympathy over heavy casualties and property loss in the recent flooding in Pakistan and is willing to provide as much assistance as it can and help Pakistan enhance disaster relief and self-development capacity. For her part, Khar thanked for China's assistance for the flooding, saying the two countries are natural partners. She said Pakistan is willing to boost cooperation with China in the areas of trade, energy, transportation and anti-terrorism.

In the meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis, Yang said China and Greece are both ancient civilizations and share a traditional friendship. It's necessary for China and Greece to continue exchanges of high-level visits, deepen economic and trade ties, and step up cooperation in such fields as shipping, ports and tourism. He hoped Greece will play an active role in ensuring the success of the 14th China-EU leaders' meeting and promoting healthy and stable development of China-EU relations. He said China supports the efforts of Greece and other European countries in dealing with the global financial crisis and overhauling the financial system. Lambrinidis said Greece cherishes its strategic partnership with China and their traditional friendship. Greece is willing to further strengthen cooperation with China in trade, shipping, humanities and other areas, the Greek foreign minister said, adding his country would also like to play a positive role in promoting Europe-China relations.