The Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, assured this Thursday in Beijing that “there are no strategic conflicts” between China and the European Union and that both parties should “strengthen communication” in a meeting with the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.
“There is no strategic conflict between China and the European Union [UE]”The Chinese president said, according to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We must strengthen coordination on macroeconomic issues, jointly ensure stable supply chains, build the foundation for the digital economy, and protect the environment,” he added.
Xi stressed that both sides must oppose “decoupling between economies, a new cold war or trade protectionism.”
“China will remain open to European companies and hopes that the EU will eliminate interference and provide a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese companies,” he added.
According to Xi Jinping, China wants the EU to become an “important partner” for the Asian country, so that both “take advantage of market opportunities that arise.”
“It must be made clear that there are no strategic differences or fundamental conflicts between the two. China does not want to dominate anyone and supports the EU in maintaining an autonomous strategy,” he stressed, referring to the ties between Europe and the United States. .
“We hope that the European institutions and their member states can have an objective and correct understanding of China and adhere to a policy of peaceful coexistence and cooperation,” he added.
Xi Jinping added that even if “there are differences on some issues,” both sides should “maintain constructive communication.”
“The key is to respect each other’s concerns and interests, especially regarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and not interfere in the other party’s internal affairs,” Xi said, before assuring that Beijing was “ready ” to celebrate the China-EU Dialogue on Human Rights, “based on equality and mutual respect.”
“The more turbulent the world becomes and the more global challenges we face, the more meaningful the relationships between us will become,” he said.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Xi said a “political” solution was “in the best interests of Europe and the Eurasian countries.”
“It is necessary to avoid an escalation or a deepening of the crisis,” he said.
“We continue to promote dialogue for peace and control the spillover effects of the crisis. China supports the EU in mediating and leading the construction of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. China is always on the side of peace and will continue to play a constructive role in their own way”.
According to the Chinese authorities’ statement, Charles Michel told Xi that the EU respects the ‘One China’ policy and wants to “strengthen communication”, “reduce misunderstandings” and “address challenges in the field of energy”. , health and health”. air-conditioned”.
The ‘One China’ policy assumes that Taiwan, which Beijing considers its own province, is not an independent country.
“The European side is willing to continue promoting the process to reach an investment agreement between both parties,” said the president of the European Council, regarding the agreement that has been frozen for more than a year.
Michel went to Beijing alone and without a larger delegation of representatives from the Council or the European Commission.
His visit follows the recent trip to Beijing by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the meeting between the Chinese leader and US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
The EU Heads of State and Government discussed, last October, the best way to approach the relationship with China in the future, coinciding with the importance of defending European fundamental rights and freedoms and “introducing more reciprocity” in economic relations with Beijing.
Source: TSF
