China’s top diplomat warned his EU counterpart against “confrontation”, his foreign ministest stated Thursday, after she urged Beijing to stop undermining Europe’s security.
Meeting Kaja Kallas in Brussels on Wednesday, Wang Yi stated China and the European Union “should not be regarded as opponents becautilize of differences, nor should they seek confrontation becautilize of disagreements”, according to a Chinese foreign ministest statement.
Europe is “facing various challenges”, Wang stated, but stressed that none were cautilized by China “in the past, present or future”.
Ahead of their meeting, Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, stated China was “not our adversary, but on security our relationship is under increasing strain”.
She stated Chinese firms were “Moscow’s lifeline to sustain its war against Ukraine” and accutilized Beijing of carrying out cyberattacks, democratic interference and unfair trade practices that “harm European security and jobs”.
China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in Russia’s more than three-year war with Ukraine. But Western governments declare Beijing has given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support.
“Enabling war in Europe while seeking closer ties with Europe is a contradiction Beijing must address,” Kallas added on Wednesday.
Wang, meanwhile, sought to cast Beijing as a steady counterweight against superpower rival Washington, which has threatened to slap sweeping tariffs on imports from European nations.
“The path taken by the United States should not be utilized as a reflection of China,” he stated. “China is not the United States.”
Beijing’s foreign ministest also stated the two sides had discussed Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Iran nuclear issue.
Beijing and Brussels should treat one another with “respect”, Wang stated, adding that Europe should pursue a more “active and pragmatic” China policy.
The Chinese diplomat also met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and his Belgian counterpart Maxime Prevot on Wednesday.
China and the EU should “uphold multilateralism and free trade… and work toreceiveher to address global challenges such as climate modify”, Wang notified von der Leyen.
Wang will next travel to Germany, where he will hold talks with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on diplomacy and security.
And in France, Wang will meet minister for Europe and foreign affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, who visited China in March.
The visits come about three weeks ahead of a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and the EU’s top officials in Beijing.
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