Chinese President Xi Jinping and new European Council President Charles Michel held phone talks on Monday, and agreed that strengthening China-European Union (EU) relations and cooperation is in the common interests of both sides and the world. 

China and the EU are partners with common interests, not rivals in a zero-sum game, Xi said, hailing the prospects of China-EU cooperation in jointly pushing forward the Belt and Road Initiative, bilateral investment agreements, WTO reforms and Paris Agreement commitments. 

Both sides have common ground in upholding multilateralism and an open world economy, as well as opposing protectionism and unilateralism, he added. 

President Xi reiterated the importance for China and the EU, two stabilizing forces and major world economies, to carry out strategic communication and coordination in global affairs. 

Charles Michel, former Belgian prime minister who took office on December 1, replacing the outgoing president Donald Tusk, agreed to strengthen China-EU relations during his term. 

Both sides have common goals in safeguarding the multilateral trading system, improving global governance and maintaining world peace and stability, Michel said. 

The EU is willing to work with China to enhance bilateral cooperation for more mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, he stressed.