China, EU urged to build on past achievements

President Xi Jinping told European Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday that China and the European Union should work together to improve and carry forward their 50-year relationship, in order to bring greater benefits to their peoples and more stability and certainty to the turbulent international landscape.

In a phone conversation with the former Portuguese prime minister, who assumed his current post last month, Xi noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, which he said is a greatly significant milestone that builds on past achievements and aims for the future.

The development of China-EU ties is proof that the two sides can promote cooperation and accomplish big things, as long as they respect each other with equality and engage in candid dialogue, Xi said.

Noting that seeking common ground while reserving differences is also a form of partnership, Xi said the key is to respect the social systems and development paths chosen by each other's people, as well as to respect each other's core interests and major concerns.

China always sees Europe as an important pillar in building a multipolar world and supports European integration and EU strategic autonomy, he said, stressing the need to take inspiration from the past and jointly maintain the political foundation of China-EU relations.

The Chinese president said that there are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical conflicts between China and the EU. The two sides are partners that have not only enabled each other's success over the past five decades, but also made important contributions to world peace and prosperity, he said.

Xi said that the more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more it is necessary for China and the EU to keep their original aspiration for friendship in mind, strengthen strategic communication and mutual trust, and remain committed to their partnership.

China has confidence in the EU, and it is hoped that the EU can also become a trusted partner for cooperation with China, he said.

China and the EU, as important trading partners, are highly complementary in economic and trade cooperation and have formed a strong economic symbiosis. Despite increasing challenges, bilateral trade has demonstrated resilience, with volume exceeding $523 billion between January and August last year, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Xi said that as China has been promoting high-quality development and expanding its high-level opening-up, more opportunities for China-EU cooperation will be created. He called on the two sides to further open to each other, consolidate existing cooperation mechanisms and foster new growth points for cooperation.

China and the EU should organize joint commemorative events to mark the 50th anniversary, enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and encourage mutual visits between their people, among other things, in order to cement public support for China-EU friendship, Xi added.

Costa said that the EU is ready to promote dialogue and communication, enhance strategic mutual trust and strengthen partnership with China, in order to create a better future for the development of EU-China ties, according to a news release from the Foreign Ministry.

The European Council president also expressed the EU's willingness to settle differences properly through dialogue and consultation.

Noting that both the EU and China uphold multilateralism, safeguard free trade and oppose bloc confrontation, Costa said the two sides should engage in cooperation instead of competition, especially in dealing with climate change and other global challenges.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues including the Ukraine crisis, and Xi elaborated on China's principled position on promoting peace talks.