'China is not US': Chinese FM calls on Europe to adopt pragmatic, rational view on China at China-EU strategic dialogue
The 13th round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue was held on Wednesday local time in the EU headquarters in Brussels, during which Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi called on Europe to develop a more objective and rational understanding of China and adopt a more positive and practical policy toward China. He noted that while Europe currently faces various challenges, they have never come - and will never come - from China. China and Europe have no fundamental conflicts of interest but rather share extensive common interests, Wang said.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
Noting this year marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN), Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the upcoming China-EU leaders' meeting is drawing broad attention, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Looking back on the extraordinary journey of China-EU relations over the past five decades, Wang said, their relationship should be characterized as that of partners rather than rivals, with cooperation as the defining feature and ballast.
The two sides need to properly handle their differences through dialogue within this framework, he said.
"Facing growing uncertainty and instability in the international landscape, China and the EU, as two major forces and economies, should enhance exchanges, mutual understanding and mutual trust, and advance cooperation, in a joint effort to safeguard the post-war international order and provide the world with much-needed certainty," Wang stressed, according to Xinhua.
On peace and security, Wang said "China is not the US, and its path should not be mirrored against America's historical trajectory." He added that the differences between China and the EU in history, culture and values should not warrant rivalry, nor their disagreements necessitate confrontation.
China has consistently supported European integration and the EU's efforts to strengthen its strategic autonomy and play a constructive role in international affairs, Wang said, expressing hope that the EU will likewise respect China's core interests through concrete actions, including on the Taiwan question.
Kallas said that the EU and China are partners, sharing common responsibilities and having significant influence on major issues such as upholding the central role of the UN and safeguarding international law and international order, Xinhua reported.
The EU remains committed to the one-China policy and stands ready to work with China to prepare for the upcoming leaders' meeting, Kallas said, expressing the EU's willingness to strengthen mutual understanding through dialogue, build a more constructive EU-China relationship, and pursue more balanced and equitable economic and trade cooperation.
Wang also met earlier in the day with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In Brussels, he also held talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot.
New frameworks needed for balanced ties
"The 13th round of the China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue marks a significant moment as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. We highly commend the outcomes of this strategic dialogue and are encouraged by the positive signals it has sent ahead of the upcoming China-EU leaders' meeting," Fang Dongkui, Secretary General of the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU), told the Global Times in an exclusive written interview on Thursday.
From the perspective of the business community, this dialogue reaffirmed the essential nature of the China-EU relationship as being one built on partnership, not rivalry, with cooperation as the cornerstone, Fang said, noting that at a time of rising global uncertainty and instability, such high-level exchanges help maintain predictability and reinforce mutual trust.
"We sincerely hope the EU will uphold its commitment to openness, fair competition, and non-discrimination," Fang added.
Major powers in the world today are stepping up consultations and dialogue on how to shape a new direction for global development and order amid profound changes. Within this process, China and the EU play particularly crucial roles, as both sides share the desire to uphold global stability and advance multilateralism, Jiang Feng, professor of European Studies at Shanghai International Studies University and president of the Shanghai Association of Regional and Country Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.
China-EU relations continue to evolve, shaped by both external influences and internal shifts. In particular, economic and trade ties have seen major changes in recent years, requiring both sides to adapt, Jiang said.
Europe, grappling with challenges domestically and internationally, often views its relationship with China through a more cautious, risk-focused lens. In contrast, China approaches these issues from a development perspective, recognizing that many challenges arise from rapid growth and call for new frameworks and mechanisms. This includes areas like new energy vehicles, advanced technologies, carbon emissions, climate change, and AI, Jiang noted.
Against this backdrop, the upcoming leaders' meeting will help chart a path for more balanced, higher-quality growth in China-EU relations. And this strategic dialogue has paved way for the summit, expected to unlock more cooperation potential, navigate challenges, and enable China and the EU to enhance communication.
According to the EU's press release, Kallas reaffirmed the EU's commitment to constructive engagement with China in tackling global challenges.
On trade, Kallas emphasized the need to find concrete solutions to rebalance the economic relationship, ensure fair competition, and enhance reciprocity in market access. Furthermore, she called upon China to consider eliminating its "distortive practices," particularly those restrictions on rare earth exports, which "pose significant risks to European enterprises and jeopardize the integrity of global supply chains."
China previously exported mainly low- to mid-end products that complemented the EU market. Now, with China's industrial upgrades, mid- to high-end exports to Europe have grown, increasing competition. This should be handled economically to find win-win solutions, not turned into political or security issues. Politicizing trade harms normal economic relations and ultimately damages Europe by undermining healthy commercial ties, Jiang said.
Regarding rare earth exports, Wu Chenhui, an independent industry analyst who closely follows the critical minerals industry, told the Global Times on Thursday that rare earths are dual-use materials with both civilian and military applications, so imposing export controls on them aligns with international norms. He noted that China has already approved and facilitated certain export applications that comply with relevant regulations, "a move that underscores the country's efforts, as a responsible major power, to safeguarding the stability and security of global industrial and supply chains."
Latest data released by China's General Administration of Customs shows that China exported 5,864.6 tons of rare earths in May. From January to May, total exports reached 24,827 tons, up 2.3 percent year-on-year.
Noting the recent wavering tones within the EU on China regarding economic and trade issues, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the complexity of Europe's attitude also stems from its security dependence on the US, which forces it to consider American demands in economic matters. However, European nations have their own interests, which can only be advanced through coordination and cooperation with China. "Europe still has a long way to go before it can truly achieve strategic autonomy, whether it is in economic or security terms," Li said.