Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the Communist Party of China (CPC) works for Chinese people's happiness. Whether people are happy or not is a good measure of how satisfied they are with the human rights they receive, he said.

The Chinese foreign minister made the remarks during a meeting with European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini on Thursday in Beijing.

China's drastic changes over the years made its citizens feel happier and happier, said Wang, pointing out that China is set to achieve its target of eliminating poverty by next year.

We will continue to further protect and promote human rights in this country, he said.

Mogherini said the EU has no intention to "lecture" other countries on the topic of human rights, as its member states are also facing the same issues. 

"The EU acknowledges that different countries with different national conditions have different practices in protecting and promoting human rights," she said.

The EU is willing to join hands with China to boost exchanges and cooperation on human rights issues on the basis of mutual respect and to develop the global cause of human rights protection.

During the meeting, Wang also called for upholding multilateralism. 

He said China and the EU, as two important forces in the world, should jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, promote the construction of an open world economy, improve global governance, and maintain world peace, stability and prosperity.

China has always firmly supported the process of European integration, Wang said.

Mogherini agreed with the Chinese foreign minister, saying that Europe and China should jointly adhere to multilateralism, maintain international order and play a stabilizing role in today's turbulent world. 

She said she believes there is far more common ground between Europe and China than differences.