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Chinese envoy calls on EU to uphold genuine multilateralism
CGTN
European Union flags fly outside the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, March 11, 2021. /CFP

European Union flags fly outside the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, March 11, 2021. /CFP

A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on the European Union (EU) to uphold genuine multilateralism, renounce double standards, avoid bloc politics and oppose division and confrontation.

China supports the United Nations and the EU in carrying out cooperation in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and in jointly upholding and practicing genuine multilateralism, Geng Shuang, deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a Security Council meeting on UN-EU cooperation.

Mentioning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Geng said: "The times we live in and the challenges we are facing make multilateralism imperative." 

Acknowledging the EU itself is a product of multilateral response to common challenges, Geng said the world's major economy should "take the lead in respecting international law and the universally accepted basic norms governing international relations, holding fast to the principles of mutual respect, treating each other as equals and working together for mutually beneficial outcomes, renouncing double standards, avoiding bloc politics, and opposing division and confrontation."

China hopes that the EU, in its external engagement, will pursue the policy of non-interference in other states' internal affairs. China would like to see an EU that champions genuine multilateralism and plays a greater, more positive and constructive role in international affairs, he said.

During the meeting, the diplomat commended the EU's efforts in maintaining peace, improving humanitarian conditions and ensuring sustainable development in regions and countries including occupied Palestinian territory and the African continent.

Geng also stressed that China values its relations with the EU. "The two sides have extensive common interests and broad prospects for cooperation in maintaining world peace and promoting common development," he said.

"China is ready to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with the EU, deepen coordination and cooperation, join hands in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change-related challenges, jointly safeguard genuine multilateralism, strengthen and improve global governance, and work hand in hand to safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law," he said.

(With input from Xinhua)

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