The upcoming summit between China and the European Union (EU) will give a boost of confidence to and draw a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with envoys and diplomats of the EU and its member states in Beijing.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will jointly chair the 24th China-EU Summit in Beijing on Thursday, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
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China-EU summit to be held in Beijing
Wang pointed out that the relationship between China and the EU has shown good momentum in its recovery and steady progress under the strategic guidance of leaders from both sides.
Noting this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said leaders from the two sides will have in-depth exchange of strategic and global issues concerning China-EU relations on the upcoming 24th China-EU Summit.
He emphasized that China's policy towards the EU remains stable and will not change due to any single incident, as it is in line with the trend of multipolarity in the world and greater democracy in international relations.
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi talks with envoys and diplomats of the EU and its member states in Beijing, China, December 4, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
"When China and Europe choose dialogue and cooperation, camp confrontation will not be formed; when China and Europe choose peace and stability, a new Cold War will not start; and when China and Europe choose openness and win-win outcome, there will be hope for global development and prosperity," he stressed.
Wang also underlined the importance of mutual respect, staying calm and pragmatic, and adherence to strategic thinking, three lessons he said could be learnt throughout the history of China-EU relations.
He urged the two sides to work together to ensure the complete success of the summit so as to take China-EU relations to a new level with new prospects.
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi takes a group photo with envoys and diplomats of the EU and its member states in Beijing, China, December 4, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
According to the European envoys and diplomats, the EU is committed to developing constructive and stable EU-China relations and is willing to adhere to mutual respect and maintain contact and dialogue with China.
The EU has no intention of decoupling from China, and hopes to establish mutually beneficial and balanced economic and trade relations with China, they said.
The upcoming summit is an important high-level dialogue between the two sides at which constructive progress in EU-China relations will be pushed for, they added.
(With input from Xinhua)