Beijing (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Guo Jiakun, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on February 17, 2025, that the global community, “now more than ever before,” has a desire to see a “steady” and “sound” cooperation between the European Union and China.
Jiakun mentioned that both China and the EU are hoping to become a
“constructive force in the transformation of the world.”
The spokesperson further hailed the ties between the two, as 2025 honours the 50th anniversary of the formation of the diplomatic relations between China and the European Union.
Jiakun also said that both will continue to work together, in order to provide more
“certainty and stability to the turbulent world.”
He remarked that “multilateralism” will be protected.
What did Wang Yi discuss with European leaders?
Two days earlier, the Chinese foreign minister also remarked the similar words at the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. He told the German Chancellor, that China regards Germany and the European Union as a whole as strategic allies, and it wants more robust collaboration with them in the spirit of free trade and multilateralism.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Chancellor Olaf Scholz Beijing was ready to deepen “all-round cooperation” with Berlin as part of favourable bilateral measures to maintain global peace and stability.
Wang also held discussions with the EU’s foreign policy head and his Spanish and French counterparts, as well as with Scholz.
Chinese FM Wang Yi stated at the Munich Security Conference:
— Lin Jian 林剑 (@SpoxCHN_LinJian) February 16, 2025
China is ready to build a stable, healthy and sustainable bilateral relationship with the US based on the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and to find the right way for… pic.twitter.com/IPUk1XRUqU
How does Von der Leyen propose balancing EU-China ties?
In the meantime, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that there is room to boost trade ties and even “find agreements” with China, in “an era of hyper-competitive and hyper-transactional geopolitics.”
“We will keep de-risking our economic relationship – as we have been doing in recent years. But there is also room to engage constructively with China – and find solutions in our mutual interest,”
Von der Leyen expressed in a speech before the EU’s diplomatic corps in Brussels.
The European Commission President expressed she considers that the EU and China can find deals that could even boost trade and investment relations.
“It is a fine line that we need to walk. But it can lead us to a fairer and more balanced relationship with one of the world’s economic giants. And that can make sense for Europe,”
She also said.
