Chinese and European political parties should step up dialogue to promote all-round China-EU cooperation, a senior Chinese official said Monday in Beijing.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Second China-Europe High-Level Political Party Forum.

"The forum brings Chinese and European political leaders together again in Beijing to discuss develoment concepts, goals and measures," Liu said, adding that the forum will enhance mutual trust and cooperation between China and Europe.

Liu said the international situation continues to undergo profound changes and the aftermath of the international financial crisis continues to play havoc with economies. China has adopted its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-16) and Europe has its Europe 2020 Strategy. Both will have a great impact on global economic governance.

Liu said China will continue on a path of scientific development and improve its social and economic development. It will accelerate the transformation of its economic development model, deepen reform and opening up, and implement win-win strategies to cope with global challenges. The CPC will focus on Party unity and building popular support to underpin scientific development and social harmony.

Martin Schulz, chair of the Group of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, welcomed the forum as a good opportunity to "discuss our differences in an open and friendly manner".

Competition and confrontation should be replaced with competition and cooperation, Schulz said.

China and Europe must work together because global challenges and threats, such as maintaining peace and security, combating international terrorism, nuclear proliferation and organized crime, coping with migration, reversing climate change, and controlling the spread of disease, can only be resolved through concerted efforts, Schulz added.

He added that the Europe 2020 strategy aims at smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

This year's forum is being held from May 16-18 in Beijing and Tianjin on the theme of "China's 12th Five-Year Plan and Europe 2020 Strategy: New Opportunities and New Prospects for China-Europe Cooperation."

The forum mainly focuses on the similarities and differences between Chinese and European developmental concepts and policy objectives and on ways the two sides can cooperate in the future.

Chinese officials from the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Political Research Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the People's Bank of China and leaders and officials of over 30 European political parties attended the opening ceremony.

The first China-Europe High-Level Political Party Forum was held in Beijing in May 2010.