“China and the EU are two major forces advancing multipolarity.… In the current international landscape of increasing turbulence, China-EU relations are of strategic significance and global influence, bearing on world peace, stability and prosperity. The two sides have the responsibility to jointly provide the world with more stability and impetus for development,” reported China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin today, following the day’s meeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping with EU Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The 24th European Union-China summit took place today in Beijing, the first in-person EU-China summit since 2019; it was scheduled to be one day, rather than the previous usual two days.
“We should not regard each other as rivals just because we have different systems, reduce cooperation just because there is competition, or engage in confrontation just because we have differences,” said Wang. “The economies of China and Europe are highly complementary.” Wang reiterated that China is willing to “synergize” with the EU Global Gateway Initiative.
Reporting on the EU leaders’ views, Wang said, “President Charles Michel and President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU and China are the world’s two major forces, and are important economic and trade partners for each other.”
The EU leaders also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Wang promised “We will release information on that in a timely manner as well.” The summit did not include the member states of the EU.
