China's first Sino-foreign managed law school, the China-EU School of Law (CESL), opened in Beijing on Friday with a ceremony attended by Vice Premier Li Keqiang and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.

The CESL is an important step in China-EU cooperation and in China's progress to rule of law, Li said.

He called on China and the European Union to operate the CESL as an important platform to learn from each other and cultivate professionals acquainted with both Chinese and EU law.

Barroso said the CESL would help to increase mutual understanding and cement the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

Meeting with Barroso before the ceremony, Li called for strengthening of dialogue and cooperation between China and the EU.

The CESL is a part of the China University of Political Science and Law. Jointly operated by 16 Chinese and European universities, the CESL aims to cultivate a new generation of comprehensively trained law professionals proficient in international legal procedure.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2008)