STRASBOURG, April 23  -- Both China and Europe stand to gain from strengthened relations and mutual investment due to an increase in Chinese migrants living in Europe, says a draft report presented Thursday to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

A draft copy of the report, "Chinese Migration to Europe: challenges and opportunities," obtained by Xinhua, was presented by Thierry Mariani (France, Union for a Popular Movement) to the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons.

It stated the increase of the Chinese population of Europe offers "a certain number of opportunities to seize but also important challenges," and it considers that the influx of Chinese migrants should be approached in view of "the potential for economic growth" that these individuals represent.

"The member states of the Council of Europe (COE) should find the means to collaborate with the Chinese authorities in order to prevent individuals to fall into the hands of clandestine networks or to be submitted to difficult work conditions," the draft report said.

It goes on to argue that member states should "elaborate policies which encourage highly qualified students to stay in Europe at the conclusion of their studies."

Mariani told Xinhua after his presentation that his fact-finding missions to China were still in progress. Besides his role as a PACE member, Mariani is a member of the French National Assembly as representative for the 11th district of French residents overseas, which includes French citizens who live in China.

His report is expected to be debated for potential adoption during the PACE Standing Committee meeting currently scheduled on May 22, to be held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The PACE Standing Committee meets between plenary sessions and acts on the general assembly's behalf, being made up of the president and vice presidents of the assembly, the chairpersons of political groups, the chairpersons of national delegations and the committee chairpersons.