Chinese leader Xi Jinping assured today in Beijing that “there are no strategic conflicts” between China and the European Union and that both parties must “reinforce communication”, in a meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel .
“There is no strategic conflict between China and the European Union [EU],” said the Chinese president, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We must strengthen coordination on macroeconomic issues, jointly ensure stable supply chains, build foundations 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 expects the EU to 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 the market opportunities that will arise”.
“We should clarify 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, in a reference 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 with regard to sovereignty and territorial integrity, and not interfere in the other party’s internal affairs,” Xi said, before assuring that Beijing is “ready” to hold the China Dialogue. – EU on Human Rights 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 be,” he said.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Xi said a “political” solution is in the “best interest of Europe and Eurasian countries”.
“It is necessary to avoid an escalation or a deepening of the crisis,” he said.
“We persist in promoting dialogue for peace and in controlling the indirect effects of the crisis. China supports the EU to mediate and lead 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 its own way,” he pointed out.
According to the statement from the Chinese authorities, Charles Michel told Xi that the EU respects the ‘One China’ policy and that it wants to “strengthen communication”, to “reduce misunderstandings” and “address challenges in the field of energy , health and climate”.
The ‘One China’ policy assumes that Taiwan, which Beijing considers a province of its own, is not an independent country.
“The European side is willing to continue to promote 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 over a year.
Michel went to Beijing alone and without a larger delegation of Council or European Commission representatives.
His visit comes after the recent trip to Beijing by the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the meeting between the Chinese leader and the President of the United States, 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, agreeing with the importance of defending European fundamental rights and freedoms and “introducing more reciprocity” in economic relations with Beijing.
*With Lusa
