On Tuesday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China and the European Union should team up together in defending multilateralism and maintaining international peace and order.
Wang delivered a speech during his meeting with Charles Michel, president of the European Council, at the European Union headquarters on Tuesday.
Wang disclosed that next year marks the 45th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, and next year the links between the two sides will have new areas for growth under the new European leadership.
To this end, the two sides will put more efforts in increasing collaboration for social and economic awareness, he said, adding that China and Europe are partners - and not rivals.
China and the European Union will join forces as two major forces in the multi-polarization of the world to preserve multilateralism and maintain global order.
China's Future Plans
When China moves for further reform and opens up, China-EU cooperation will have more space and potential, Wang said, calling for a high-level bilateral investment agreement when expected.
Wang pointed out that all sides should also uplift mutually beneficial cooperation in technology and the digital economy and avoid discriminatory action against specific countries or firms.
Wang said that his country's cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEEC) is an integral part of China-EU partnership. China, the official stressed, is always willing and ready to promote ties with the EU and the CEEC in all aspects of cooperation.
Michel said the European side believes that the best way to cope with current global problems is multilateralism and international cooperation. China plays an increasingly important role in the affairs of the United Nations and the world.
Boosting Dialogues, Relations
The EU and China, Michel said, also need to continue strengthening dialogues, jointly maintaining international order and rules, address common challenges and threats, and giving new impetus to bilateral relations.
Michel added that the EU also believes that the "17 + 1 Cooperation" is an important addition to relations between the the two sides.
The EU is ready to work with China to prepare fully for a series of high-level exchanges scheduled for next year and to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership that will serve their best interests.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Miro Cerar over the weekend, Wang said that the 17 + 1 Cooperation is a cross-regional platform based on China's and CEEC's shared goals, and has yielded early harvests and substantial results in nearly 20 areas of partnership.
