Wang Yi highlights 10-point consensus between China, EU
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China and the European Union (EU) share a 10-point consensus including their support for multilateralism and an open world economy, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Brussels on Monday, calling cooperation the "mainstream" in China-EU relations.

"Between China and Europe, competition is inevitable, but cooperation remains the mainstream and win-win outcomes are the goals," he said.

Wang made the remarks during a joint press conference with EU's foreign and security policy chief Federica Mogherini after attending the ninth round of the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue.

The dialogue kicked off a series of high-level exchanges. Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to three European countries – Italy, Monaco and France – from March 21 to 26 and Premier Li Keqiang will travel to Brussels in April to attend the China-EU leaders' meeting.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a joint press conference with EU's foreign and security policy chief Federica Mogherini (not seen) in Brussels, Belgium, March 18, 2019. (Photo: VCG)

Cooperation and competition

Wang summarized a 10-point consensus between China and the EU after the dialogue:

1. Both sides support multilateralism and oppose unilateral practices.

2. Both sides support the UN's leading role in international affairs and safeguarding basic norms in international relations based on the purposes of the UN Charter.

3. Both sides support an open world economy and oppose protectionism.

4. Both sides support the rules-based multilateral trading system and the efforts to reform and enhance the World Trade Organization (WTO).

5. Both sides support the peaceful settlement of hotspot issues and regional disputes through dialogue and consultation.

6. Both sides support stronger international cooperation against climate change and other global challenges.

7. Both sides support the commitment to the international non-proliferation regime and to maintaining strategic stability.

8. Both sides support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and commit to reducing inequalities and the North-South gap.

9. Both sides support the campaign against all forms of terrorism and taking holistic measures to contain the spread of extremism.

10. Both sides support the post-WWII international system and order and will not construct another system anew.

A cargo container of China Railway Express is loaded on to a truck at Eurokombi terminal in Hamburg, Germany, May 29, 2018. (Photo: Xinhua)

China firmly supports the integration of Europe and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Europe on cybersecurity and jointly building the Belt and Road, Wang told reporters.

On the other hand, he acknowledged there are differences between China and Europe as well as competition in areas such as economy and trade, but stressed that "this is normal."

"Healthy market competition can spur our respective development and invigorate China-Europe cooperation, making it more resilient," he said.

Europe stands to gain more from China's new round of reform and opening-up as the country aims for "higher-quality opening-up and development," he added.

Meanwhile, the diplomat urged Europe to give "fair, unbiased and non-discriminatory treatment" to Chinese companies operating on the continent.