Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in Beijing on Monday to discuss issues, including bilateral ties.

The two leaders also exchanged ideas on the situations in Europe, North Africa and West Asia, and discussed the upcoming G20 summit in Cannes.

Dai said China has confidence in the integration of the European Union, calling on the two sides to adopt principles of mutual respect and cooperation in dealing with the bilateral relationship.

Today's world is undergoing rapid and tremendous changes as well as increasing global challenges, and countries need to adapt to the changes and learn to coexist harmoniously, Dai said.

Ashton said the European side is ready to enhance consultation and cooperation with China in bilateral and global issues, and push forward EU-China ties.

She also expressed appreciation for China's long-standing economic and political support for the EU, saying the EU values China's growing role in European and international issues.