Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Prague for China-EU summit

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has visited the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague,for a China-EU summit and for separate talks with Czech leaders. Premier Wen called for a collective recognition of China's market economy.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said, "We hope that the EU will recognize China's market economy status and remove its arms embargo against China as early as possible, as that serves the interest of Europe Union and China-EU relations."

Premier Wen said during their interview, he and the European leaders exchanged views on how to tackle the financial crisis. He promised China would make its contribution to the early economic recovery. Premier Wen also announced China is to send a second trade and investment mission to Europe to increase imports from the EU. He also called for joint cooperation on climate change. Earlier, Wen Jiabao exchanged views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues with the EU leaders.

China and the EU signed three cooperation agreements on energy, science and technology. The China-EU Summit is taking place amid a world economy that has plunged into its first recession in 60 years as a result of the financial crisis.