China and the European Union (EU) should expand common interests through cooperation and resolve difficulties in the process of development, Chinese President Xi Jinping told EU leaders on Monday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen via video link. He called on the two sides to build a China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership with greater world influence.

"China wants peace instead of hegemony," Xi said, noting that China presents "opportunities rather than threats."

Speaking on the China-EU relations, Xi said China is "a partner, not an opponent" to the EU.

China will continue to deepen reform and expand opening up, which will provide Europe with a new round of cooperation opportunities and development space, he said.

Xi called on the two sides to respect each other and seek common ground while reserving differences.

"There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and Europe. Cooperation far outweighs competition, and consensus far outweighs disagreement." 

Speaking of the post-pandemic world, Xi said the world has undergone profound changes and faced more unstable and uncertain factors, and China and the EU should seize new opportunities under the circumstance.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China and the EU have supported and helped each other, Xi said, noting that China is willing to join hands with the European side to push for a more stable and mature relationship in the post-pandemic era and lift their ties to a new height.

"We believe that the EU will continue to move forward in the direction of unity, stability, openness and prosperity. China is delighted to see that the EU makes a constructive contribution to international peace and stability, and is willing to strengthen strategic cooperation with the EU to jointly cope with global challenges," he said.

China and the EU should serve as two huge markets that promote global development and prosperity, Xi said.

"Our two major economies should play the role as dual engines of the world economy, drive the recovery of global economy, jointly support a scientific and orderly resumption of work and production, strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, and keep global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth," Xi said.

The two sides should maintain market openness to each other, accelerate the negotiation of the China-EU investment agreement, strengthen cooperation in the green and digital fields, and develop a partnership in green development, said Xi, calling on the two sides to enhance third-party cooperation in Africa.

No matter how the international situation changes, Xi also told the EU leaders that China will adhere multilateralism and global governance with the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

Xi said China is willing to maintain close communication with the two EU leaders, advance a series of major China-EU political agendas, and push bilateral relations to a new level.

Michel and von der Leyen said the EU and China are two major economies in the world, hailing the vibrancy in the two sides' ties.

As the world faces enormous uncertainties, international cooperation is the only way to address global challenges, they said, stressing that conflicts can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation.

The EU is willing to engage in a strategic dialogue with China frankly and expand their consensuses, they told Xi.

The EU leaders also expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with China in vaccine research and development and resumption of work and production. They also underscored the EU's commitment to multilateralism.

The EU would like to increase trade volume with China and reach a bilateral investment agreement at an early date, said Michel and von der Leyen. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also met with Michel and von der Leyen on Monday via video link during the 22nd China-EU leaders' meeting.

(With input from Xinhua)