Wang Yi highlights 10-point consensus between China, EU

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Europe

01:33

China and the European Union (EU) share a 10-point consensus including their support for multilateralism and an open world economy, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Brussels on Monday, calling cooperation the "mainstream" in China-EU relations.

"Between China and Europe, competition is inevitable, but cooperation remains the mainstream and win-win outcomes are the goals," he said.

Wang made the remarks during a joint press conference with EU's foreign and security policy chief Federica Mogherini after attending the ninth round of the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue.

The dialogue kicked off a series of high-level exchanges. Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to three European countries – Italy, Monaco and France – from March 21 to 26 and Premier Li Keqiang will travel to Brussels in April to attend the China-EU leaders' meeting.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a joint press conference with EU's foreign and security policy chief Federica Mogherini (not seen) in Brussels, Belgium, March 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Cooperation and competition

Wang summarized a 10-point consensus between China and the EU after the dialogue:

1. Both sides support multilateralism and oppose unilateral practices.

2. Both sides support the UN's leading role in international affairs and safeguarding basic norms in international relations based on the purposes of the UN Charter.

3. Both sides support an open world economy and oppose protectionism.

4. Both sides support the rules-based multilateral trading system and the efforts to reform and enhance the World Trade Organization (WTO).

5. Both sides support the peaceful settlement of hotspot issues and regional disputes through dialogue and consultation.

6. Both sides support stronger international cooperation against climate change and other global challenges.

7. Both sides support the commitment to the international non-proliferation regime and to maintaining strategic stability.

8. Both sides support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and commit to reducing inequalities and the North-South gap.

9. Both sides support the campaign against all forms of terrorism and taking holistic measures to contain the spread of extremism.

10. Both sides support the post-WWII international system and order and will not construct another system anew.

A cargo container of China Railway Express is loaded on to a truck at Eurokombi terminal in Hamburg, Germany, May 29, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

China firmly supports the integration of Europe and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Europe on cybersecurity and jointly building the Belt and Road, Wang told reporters.

On the other hand, he acknowledged there are differences between China and Europe as well as competition in areas such as economy and trade, but stressed that "this is normal."

"Healthy market competition can spur our respective development and invigorate China-Europe cooperation, making it more resilient," he said.

Europe stands to gain more from China's new round of reform and opening-up as the country aims for "higher-quality opening-up and development," he added.

Meanwhile, the diplomat urged Europe to give "fair, unbiased and non-discriminatory treatment" to Chinese companies operating on the continent.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C), European Council President Donald Tusk (R) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker co-chair the 20th China-EU leaders' meeting in Beijing, July 16, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

'Competition is normal'

Describing Wang as her "good friend," Mogherini hailed cooperation between the EU and China in maintaining multilateralism, fighting climate change and supporting the Iran nuclear deal.

"The European Union is committed to strengthening cooperation with China," she said. "China is a leading global power, economically, politically – and for the European Union, is a comprehensive strategic partner."

Brussels and Beijing are trying to identify areas for bilateral cooperation as "global powers" on the international stage, she noted, adding that "competition is only normal" between the two giant economies.

EU's foreign and security policy chief Federica Mogherini (R) speaks during a joint press conference with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brussels, Belgium, March 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

On March 12, the European Commission set out a 10-point plan on its relations with China, which will be discussed at the next EU summit this Thursday and Friday.

"China is simultaneously a cooperation partner with whom the EU has closely aligned objectives, a negotiating partner, with whom the EU needs to find a balance of interests, an economic competitor in pursuit of technological leadership, and a systemic rival promoting alternative models of governance," it stated.

During a press conference last Friday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang admitted there has been cooperation as well as frictions in the China-EU relationship, but said he believed the past experience of resolving differences and conflicts can continue to be used to enhance mutual trust.

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