Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that cooperation far outweighs competition between China and Europe, noting that consensus is more important than differences and that the two sides are opportunities to each other.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference with visiting Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok in Beijing.

Wang pointed out that in the 21st century, the interests of all countries are highly intertwined and depend on each other. In some way, China and Europe are already a community with a shared future in the era of globalization, he noted.

"We might differ in the size of our countries and orientation in diplomacy, but we all wish to push forward multi-polarization, support multilateralism and oppose unilateralism," said Wang.

"We might differ in social systems and development modes, but we are all willing to safeguard the Charter of the United Nations and basic rules in international relations," he continued.

China and European countries both participate in the global division of labor and rely heavily on global cooperation, Wang said, adding that the two sides advocate the establishment of an open world economy and the maintenance of the multilateral trade system. 

He stressed that the two sides may have different cultural traditions and different values, but both advocate equal dialogue and exchanges between civilizations. 

China attaches great importance to relations with Europe, and pursues a positive policy towards Europe, Wang noted. 

China supports Europe to play a more important role in international affairs, and the stand will not change, he added. 

The Chinese foreign minister emphasized that the world will better understand and support the efforts of China and Europe towards building a partnership of peace, growth, reform and civilization. 

Earlier in the day, the two also held talks on bilateral cooperation. 

Wang expressed that China's relations with the Netherlands have always been at the forefront of its relations with Western countries. The cooperation between China and the Netherlands is very extensive, and the two countries have established an open and pragmatic partnership.

China is willing to have more high-level exchanges with the Netherlands, said Wang, adding that Beijing would like to jointly build the Belt and Road with Amsterdam, and enhance coordination and communication with the country within the frameworks of multilateral mechanisms such as the Group of 20.

Blok expressed his condolences to the victims of the Sichuan earthquake and sent his support to the people who are working hard to save lives.

He also spoke highly of China's achievements in poverty alleviation, saying it not only benefits China, but also the world. 

Blok added that the Netherlands is willing to boost coordination with China in international affairs and will stand with China in fighting against climate change, safeguarding a free and open trade system and achieving win-win results.

The two sides also exchanged views on international hot-spot issues such as the Iran nuclear deal, anti-terrorism, and the situation in Syria, Venezuela and on the Korean Peninsula. 

(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok in Beijing, June 19, 2019. /CGTN Photo)

(CGTN's Liu Jiaxin also contributed to this story.)