On December 4, 2023, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held a group meeting with the envoys of the EU member states to China in Beijing.
Wang Yi also said that as President Xi pointed out, China-EU relations bore on the prosperity of the Eurasian continent and the stability of the world, which needed to be well safeguarded and developed by both sides. Thanks to the personal and strategic guidance of our leaders, China-EU relations have taken on a good momentum featured by comprehensive recovery and stable growth. A series of high-level dialogues was held essential consensus being built on cooperation, which reflected the resilience and vitality of China-Europe relations and demonstrated the strategic significance and global impact of China-Europe cooperation. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe, and is a crucial time to build on our past achievements and open up a new future. The two sides are about to hold a leaders’ meeting to have in-depth exchanges on strategic and global issues in China-Europe relations, charting the course, drafting blueprints, boosting confidence, and inserting momentum for China-Europe relations. Both sides should work together to ensure the full success of the meeting, push China Europe relations to a new level and showcase new prospects.
Wang Yi expressed that the past 20 years had witnessed the ups and downs in developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe. However, it has maintained a forward momentum and formed a pattern of all-round, multi-level, and wide-ranging exchanges and cooperation.
Looking back at the history of China-Europe relations, the following insights can be drawn: firstly, we must adhere to principle of mutual respect. China has issued three policy documents on the EU, all of which regard mutual respect as the primary principle for developing China-Europe relations. The history, culture, and developing paths and systems of China and Europe have their own characteristics. Mutual respect is essential for equal dialogue and common progress. China and Europe have different views on some international and regional issues. Only through communication and coordination can we play a constructive role in maintaining world peace and stability and addressing global challenges. The second is to stay calm and pragmatic. Against the backdrop of complex situations and severe challenges, China and Europe remain calm and pragmatic in maintaining our partnership, uphold the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences, pursue approaches to achieve mutual benefits, and follow the trend of multilateralism. All of these will provide more stability and energy for the world, and are also in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides. The third is to adhere to strategic thinking. China has always developed China-Europe relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, regarding Europe as a crucial part in multi-polarization, supporting European integration, and advocating European strategic autonomy. China’s policy towards Europe remains stable and will not change overnight, as it aligns with the current trend of multipolarity and the democratization of international relations. Wang Yi emphasized that dialogue and cooperation between China and Europe would prevent us from camp confrontation; peace and stability would nip a new Cold War in the bud; openness and win-win cooperation would bring hope for global development and prosperity.
The head of the EU delegation to China and the embassies of EU member states in China stated that the EU was committed to fostering constructive and stable EU-China relations and was willing to maintain contact and dialogue with China with mutual respect. China is an important partner of the EU, and the EU has no intention of decoupling from China and hoped to establish balanced economic and trade relations to achieve mutual benefits. The EU highly values China's role and influence as a permanent member of the Security Council, and is willing to work together with China to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, public health, and strengthen communication and coordination on hot issues related to Ukraine and the Middle East and so on. The upcoming EU-China summit is a crucial high-level dialogue between the two sides, and we believe it will bring constructive progress to EU-China relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine Crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict and other international and regional issues of common concern.