China-EU summit to be held in Beijing

As agreed between China and the European Union (EU), the 24th China-EU Summit will be held in Beijing on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said Hua in a statement.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Michel and von der Leyen will jointly chair the summit, according to the statement.

The annual summit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU, and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of this meeting mechanism between leaders of the two sides.

Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday afternoon, Wang Wenbin, another spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reiterated that China and Europe are partners, not rivals, and that their common interests far outweigh their differences.

Noting accelerated changes unseen in a century, a turbulent international situation, lack of momentum of growth in the world economy and rising global challenges, Wang said there are both opportunities and challenges in China-EU relations.

The Chinese side hopes the summit can play the important role of carrying forward the past and ushering in a new future for China-EU relations, he said.

It is hoped that the two sides can enhance understanding and mutual trust through strategic communication, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation through innovation, explore ways to solve problems through dialogue and consultation, and work together to address global challenges, added the spokesperson.