China urges EU cooperation over ‘bloc confrontation’ in bid to warm relations

Wang said he hoped relations with Europe will have a “green light all the way”, describing the continent as a “partner” instead of a competitor or rival.

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“There is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and Europe, nor is there any geostrategic contradiction. The common interests of both sides far outweigh their differences,” Wang said.

“The correct positioning of China-EU relations should be that of partnership, the mainstream tone should be cooperation, the key value should be independence, and the development prospects should be win-win.”

The EU labelled China as a “partner, competitor and systemic rival” in its China strategy in 2019, which Wang said brought “unnecessary disruption and obstacles” to bilateral ties.

European countries have also been under immense pressure from Washington to respond to what they have called an “increasingly assertive” China, with measures that include imposing economic and technological restrictions against Beijing over their “national security concerns”.

The EU has also called for a “de-risking” approach to reduce economic dependence on China, a major trade partner with which it has a €400 billion (US$435.8 billion) trade deficit.

Last year, Italy, the only G7 participant in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, pulled out of the infrastructure scheme, delivering a major diplomatic blow to Beijing in a move largely seen as falling in line with the EU’s de-risking strategy.

China has repeatedly urged the EU to uphold its “strategic autonomy”, an idea championed by European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron to become the “third pole” of the world, amid an intensifying US-China rivalry.

Wang also announced during his press conference that six more European countries – Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg – will qualify for visa-free entry to China from March 14.

Despite the gestures, trade disputes and Beijing’s closer ties with Moscow continue to cast a shadow over China-EU ties.

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China has insisted it is neutral in the war and has pushed for negotiations for a ceasefire, despite scepticism from the EU.

On Thursday, Wang said China will continue to play a “constructive role” in pushing for a political solution to the conflict as Beijing’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs Li Hui makes a second peace tour in Europe.

“The earlier we start talking, the sooner peace will come,” Wang said. “China looks forward to the early restoration of peace and stability on the European continent.”