BRUSSELS -- China and the European Union (EU) should undertake preparations for negotiations on an investment agreement and strengthen cooperation in the fields such as high technology, Chinese Vice-Premier Ma Kai said on Friday.

Cooperation between China and the EU would not only benefit themselves, but also the world, Ma, who arrived here Thursday for a high-level dialogue on trade and economic relations (HED) between the two partners, said at a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

The high-level and strategic dialogue between the EU and China is very important, said Barroso, adding the HED has laid a good foundation for the upcoming EU-China summit in Beijing next month, which will be the first meeting with a new generation of Chinese leaders.

He thanked the Chinese side for its long support to the European integration and the euro.

Earlier in the day, Ma met with Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo on the expanding cooperation between the two countries. The relations between China and Belgium are now on an accelerated all-round development, said Ma, indicating that China wants to expand trade and promote investment with Belgium.

He cited new energy, environmental protection and the pharmaceutical industry as priorities in the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Di Rupo said the economic and trade cooperation between Belgium and China has a huge potential, extending warm welcome to Chinese investors.