China is a 'trustworthy, indispensable' partner for EU, says spokesperson

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that China is a "trustworthy and indispensable" partner for the European Union (EU) in terms of addressing both European problems and global challenges, on the eve of a scheduled summit between the two sides.

Properly resolving differences through dialogue and negotiation is an important experience for the development of China-EU relations, said Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Wang made the remarks in comments to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's reported claim on Tuesday that the EU will not tolerate over time "an imbalance" in the trade relationship between the EU and China. Von der Leyen also said, "We have tools to protect our market, but we prefer to have negotiated solution."

"China has never deliberately sought trade surplus," Wang said.

China has consistently advanced high-level opening up and invited all countries to share China's mega market with a population of over 1.4 billion by hosting the China International Import Expo and the China International Supply Chain Expo, he said.

The current China-EU trade situation is a result of the combined influence of the macro-economic environment, international trade conditions and the industrial structures of the two sides, added Wang.

"Besides, in light of the deep integration of global industrial and supply chains, trade statistics do not reflect the profit distribution in China-EU trade," he stressed. 

Over one-third of exports from EU companies in China were sold to the EU, noted the spokesperson. Although China appears to have a trade surplus, in fact, the EU has "reaped considerable profits," said Wang.

"Moreover, trade involves both sides. If the EU sets strict restrictions on the export of high-tech products to China on the one hand and, on the other, hopes to greatly increase exports to China, this may not be a reasonable expectation," he said.

The spokesperson urged the EU to work with China to create a sound atmosphere for the upcoming China-EU summit and make joint efforts for the sound and steady growth of China-EU relations.

(Cover: File photo of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)