China and EU should jointly safeguard multilateralism: envoy

World
Europe

Both China and the EU have sincere wishes to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, jointly safeguard multilateralism, and oppose unilateralism and protectionism, Zhang Ming, China's envoy to the EU said recently.

The overall China-EU relations are very good, with both sides having established over 70 exchange mechanisms at different levels and fields last year. The two sides also successfully held the 20th China-EU Summit and issued a joint statement in Beijing last July.

The envoy also argued that some people have been fabricating "safety concern stories" about China's telecom giant Huawei without any factual basis and evidence.

He said such protectionist behaviors are politicizing economic issues and against the trend of globalization, and wholly violate the principles of free economy and fair competition.

Zhang noted that cybersecurity is a common concern of the international community and an essential part of network technology. "Only through open and transparent cooperation can we obtain common protection. Rumors, discrimination, exclusion, pressure and subjective suspicion are bound to backfire."

He emphasized that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners. Both sides adhere to multilateralism and rules-based international order. The EU itself is a product of multilateralism.

"I believe that the EU knows where its own interests lie. I hope that they will remain rational, open and objective, and in the meantime adhere to open cooperation, as well as free and fair competition." Zhang said.

"I hope they will maintain a fair and equitable environment for multilateral economic and technological cooperation, and not engage in exclusive and discriminatory arrangements. China and Europe are partners, what we should do is to spur globalization, rather than 'tribalize' the international system."