China and Europe are partners, not rivals, and China's development is an opportunity – not a threat – to Europe, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday. 

In a phone conversation with Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha Gonzalez Laya, Wang said China and the European Union (EU), as comprehensive strategic partners, should work together to maintain the political foundation for bilateral cooperation and achieve greater progress in their relations in the post-pandemic era. 

Issues concerning Xinjiang and Hong Kong are China's internal affairs, he said, adding that China strongly urges the European side to act with prudence and refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs in any form, because doing so will only undermine mutual trust between China and the EU, and is not in the overall interests of the EU and its member states. 

Wang told Gonzalez that China is willing to enhance coordination with Spain, focus on the post-pandemic era, deepen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, and energy, strengthen tourism and people-to-people exchanges, and push for further development of China-Spain relations. 

Expressing his hope that Spain will provide a level playing field and an open business environment for Chinese companies, Wang called on the two sides to oppose unilateralism and protectionism and jointly advance the reform of the World Trade Organization. 

China is willing to work with all parties to make the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics a simple, safe and wonderful event, he added. 

Gonzalez said Spain disapproves of "megaphone diplomacy" and is ready to hold constructive exchanges of views with China on the basis of mutual respect, strengthen dialogue between the EU and China and promote further development of EU-China relations. 

She said Spain-China relations are very stable and strong, and that Spain attaches great importance to its relations with China. 

She hopes that the two countries will further strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges in the post-pandemic period and jointly safeguard international economic and trade rules. 

(With input from Xinhua)