China and the European Union should expand common interests through cooperation and resolve difficulties in the process of development, Chinese President Xi Jinping told EU leaders on Monday.
Xi made the remarks when meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen via video link. He called on the two sides to build a China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership with greater world influence.
Noting that China and the EU are partners, not opponents, Xi said the two sides do not have fundamental conflicts of interests. He added that their cooperation far outweighs competition, and their consensuses exceed differences.
He urged the two sides to respect each other, seek common ground and resolve differences, and keep enhancing mutual understanding and trust.
China wants peace, not hegemony, Xi stressed, adding that the country offers opportunities and does not pose a threat to anyone.
“The starting point of all our policies and work is to help the Chinese people live a happy life,” he said. “We will stay firmly committed to the path of peaceful development.”
China will continue to deepen reform and expand openness, which will bring new cooperation opportunities and development space for the EU, he said.
Xi hailed the mutual assistance between China and the EU in the fight against COVID-19. China is willing to make joint efforts with the EU to build more stable and mature relations in the post-pandemic era, he added.
The world is undergoing profound changes in the wake of COVID-19, with more unstable factors and uncertainties emerging, said the Chinese president. He called for efforts to foster new opportunities amid the crisis.
China and the EU are “two major forces” and “two major markets” in the world, Xi said, adding that they are also two important forces for maintaining global peace and stability. China is willing to strengthen strategic cooperation with the EU and address global challenges, he told the EU leaders.
Xi also called on the two sides to uphold multilateralism and improve global governance.
Michel and von der Leyen said the EU and China are two major economies in the world, hailing the vibrancy in the two sides’ ties.
As the world faces enormous uncertainties, international cooperation is the only way to address global challenges, they said, stressing that conflicts can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation.
The EU is willing to engage in a strategic dialogue with China frankly and expand their consensuses, they told Xi.
The EU leaders also expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with China in vaccine research and development and resumption of work and production. They also underscored the EU’s commitment to multilateralism.
The EU would like to increase trade volume with China and reach a bilateral investment agreement at an early date, said Michel and von der Leyen.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also met with Michel and von der Leyen on Monday via video link during the 22nd China-EU leaders’ meeting.
