European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday stressed the need for the European Union (EU) to have a coherent strategy for EU-China relations.

Speaking at a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, von der Leyen said it is "more important for Europe to manage its relations with China."

Decoupling is "clearly not viable, desirable or even practical" for Europe, she said.

She also voiced an "urgent need" to "rebalance" EU-China relationship on the basis of "transparency, predictability and reciprocity."

Von der Leyen recalled her visit to China earlier this month, and noted China's economic transformation and poverty relief efforts over the past decades.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry last week called her trip to China a "productive visit" that sent out a positive message of China and the EU stepping up communication and engagement, enhancing bilateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation, and managing differences constructively.

During Tuesday's speech, however, the European Commission president also reaffirmed a focus on what she described as "de-risking," which means reducing the risks of the EU's relations with and dependence on China, a concept she has recently spoken of.

Fu Cong, Chinese ambassador to the EU, said in an opinion story on CGTN on the eve of von der Leyen's visit to China that the so-called de-risking fails to have a good understanding of China and its policies.

In fact, the biggest risk for the China-EU relationship is weaponizing trade issues for geopolitical or even ideological purposes, wrote Fu.

"If we really want to de-risk the China-Europe economic ties, it is important that we treat each other on an equal basis and reduce the possible political interference in trade and economic interactions," he said.