President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander Decroo in Beijing on Friday that China is open to strengthening ties with Europe.
Mr. Decroo arrived in China on Thursday, attended the inauguration of the new Belgian embassy in Beijing, and met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the same day.
“China will cooperate with the European Union to promote steady progress in China-EU relations in the new year,” Xi told Decroo during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, according to a statement. I’m ready,” he said. According to national broadcaster CCTV.
“In the face of the chaotic international situation, we need to build more bridges between China and Europe,” Xi said, adding that the two countries should “jointly promote world peace, stability and prosperity.” Ta.
China and the EU are major trading partners, but the EU has recently signaled a desire to reduce its dependence on China in technology and other areas.
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The EU has launched an investigation into subsidies for China’s domestic EV makers after accusations that cheaper products hurt European competitors, an allegation that the Chinese government denies.
The deterioration of relations between China and the West in recent years has also raised concerns in Brussels about the potential vulnerabilities posed by AI, misinformation and data security.
De Croo also spoke on Friday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to “discuss common challenges including climate change, defending the rules-based international order, and preventing future pandemics,” he tweeted.
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The two also discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Decroux said. The issue has strained relations between China and Europe over Beijing’s failure to condemn Moscow.
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