Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay a visit to Europe this week with the aim of enhancing cooperation, properly managing differences, and laying the political groundwork for future interactions between Chinese and European Union leaders, Guo Jiakun, Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In Brussels, Minister Wang will visit the EU headquarters and hold the 13th round of China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue. “As unprecedented global changes unfold at a faster pace, and unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices are on the rise, it is necessary for China and the EU, two major forces, markets and civilizations in the world, to act firmly as anchors of stability and constructive forces in a volatile world,” Guo said. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties. Over the past 50 years, bilateral trade has grown from USD2.4 billion to USD780 billion, with China and the EU having long been each other’s second-largest trading partner. Ties between China and the EU have shown renewed momentum in recent months as the Chinese side and the European Parliament announced last month a decision to fully lift reciprocal exchange restrictions simultaneously. The past 50 years of China-EU relations have proven that the two sides are partners, not rivals – and certainly not adversaries, Wang said during a meeting in Beijing with diplomatic envoys from the EU and its member states on June 26. At the meeting, Wang put forward three suggestions for the future development of China-EU relations. The first is to uphold mutual respect, in particular, Wang expressed the hope that the EU will firmly uphold the one-China principle and oppose all forms of “Taiwan independence.” Second, the two sides should stay committed to the positioning of their partnership, and third, jointly uphold multilateralism.
Spokesman Guo said that during the visit to EU Headquarters in Brussels, Wang will exchange views with the EU side on China-EU relations and major international and regional issues, take stock of the experience in growing China-EU relations over the past 50 years, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and continue to see the EU as a partner.
In Brussels, Wang will also hold talks with Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.
Wang’s upcoming visit to Germany will be his first to the country after the new German government was formed. In Berlin, he will co-chair the eighth round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. During his stay in Paris, Wang will hold talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noél Barrot, and co-chair another meeting of the China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges.
