WNAM REPORT: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with diplomatic envoys to China from the European Union (EU) and its member states on Wednesday in Beijing.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, the two major constructive forces in the world today should enhance mutual trust, handle differences properly, pool their strengths and elevate the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new level.
Wang put forward a three-point proposal for the future development of China-EU relations.
First, the two sides should uphold mutual respect, particularly by earnestly respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns. Wang noted that achieving complete national reunification is the long-cherished aspiration and historic mission of the Chinese nation, and that China will never allow the Taiwan region to be separated from the motherland.
China hopes the EU will continue to adhere firmly to the one-China principle and oppose separatist activities for “Taiwan independence” in any form, he stressed.
Second, the two sides should adhere to the established positioning of their partnership. Wang said that China and the EU are partners, not rivals, and certainly not enemies.
There are no territorial disputes or geopolitical conflicts between China and the EU, let alone any fundamental clashes of interests, Wang said, noting that China hopes to work with the EU to make cooperation the prevailing trend of China-EU relations.
Third, the two sides should adhere to multilateralism. China firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations (UN) at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Wang said, noting that China consistently stands for peace talks and rejects the use of force.
The three global initiatives, the Belt and Road Initiative and the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity – all of which were proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping – have contributed China’s wisdom and solutions to the international community.
“China and the EU should follow the trend of the times, enhance understanding, build trust, achieve mutual success, and light up the world,” Wang added.
The head of the EU delegation to China and diplomatic envoys of EU member states to China said that China has always been an important partner for the EU.
The EU is willing to work hand-in-hand with China for the future, develop a constructive, stable EU-China relationship, address global challenges, uphold multilateralism, and promote world peace and security, they said.
