Brussels, Belgium: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas co-chaired the 13th round of China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialog in Brussels on Wednesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that this year marks both the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
The past 50 years of China-EU relations demonstrate that the two sides should be characterized as partners, not rivals, with cooperation as the defining feature and bedrock of bilateral ties, Wang said, adding that the two sides should properly handle differences through communication under the mechanism.
Noting that China and the EU have no fundamental conflicts of interest but rather extensive common interests, he said that both sides support multilateralism and open cooperation, uphold the central role of the United Nations and greater democracy in international relations, and remain committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialog.
With uncertainties and instabilities on the rise in the international landscape, China and the EU, as two major forces and economies, should enhance exchanges, deepen mutual understanding, strengthen mutual trust, and advance cooperation to jointly uphold the post-war international order and provide the world with much-needed certainty, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with the EU to ensure positive outcomes of the upcoming China-EU Summit, charting the course for the future development of bilateral relations, he said.
China’s foreign policy embodies the harmony inherent in Chinese civilization, championing peace, inclusiveness, and cooperation, Wang noted, adding that on peace and security, China has the best track record among major countries.
Though China and the EU differ in history, culture, and values, such differences should not make them rivals, nor should disagreements lead to confrontation, he said.
The two sides should respect and learn from each other, and pursue shared development and progress to jointly contribute to human civilization, Wang said.
He expressed the hope that the EU will view China in an objective and rational light, and follow a positive and practical China policy.
China always supports the integration of Europe and the strategic independence of the EU, and hopes the EU should respect China’s core interests through concrete actions, Wang stressed.
The Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang said, adding that the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 resolved once and for all the factual and legal issues of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN.
He urged the EU to strictly adhere to the one-China principle. Kallas said the EU and China are partners, and share common responsibilities and play important roles on major issues such as upholding the UN’s central role, safeguarding international law, and maintaining the international order.
The EU adheres to the one-China policy and stands ready to work with China to prepare for the upcoming China-EU Summit, and enhance mutual understanding through candid communication, so as to develop a more constructive EU-China relationship, and pursue more balanced and equitable economic and trade cooperation, she said.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iranian nuclear issue, among others.
