China, EU to consult on strategy

Wang Yi, EU high representative stress multilateralism at UN

Top diplomats from China and the European Union agreed to have regular communications on strategic issues on Thursday.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Federica Mogherini, the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Wang said China and the EU are two independent and important forces in international affairs.

Both sides advocate multilateralism, support the UN's role, and favor solving international conflicts through peaceful means. As the uncertainty in the international situation increases, strengthening China-EU cooperation will add positive energy to the world, Wang said.

"It's our responsibility to maintain, consolidate and develop the relationship between China and the European Union," Wang said.

China and the EU should coordinate closely to ensure the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting sends a collective voice upholding multilateralism and safeguarding international law and the international order, similar to the UN General Assembly, he said.

China appreciates the EU openly expressing its willingness to cooperate with countries including China in the EU's new plan, which presents a vision to better connect Europe with Asia, Wang added.

The EU said it will promote connectivity between Europe and Asia in an open and inclusive way, consistent with China's advocacy of cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said.

China welcomes the EU to take an active part in the construction of the BRI and is willing to consider aligning the BRI with EU's connectivity strategy and implement the cooperation plan as soon as possible, he added.

Mogherini said the EU underlined cooperation with China in promoting connectivity between Europe and Asia.

EU's new strategy is not the opposite of BRI, she stressed, noting that the EU is willing to interact with the BRI, which will be conducive to both sides' cooperation.

Expressing the EU's willingness to work with China to make the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting a success, Mogherini spoke highly of China's constructive stance on issues, including the Iran nuclear agreement.

The EU agreed to have close communication and coordination with China, and jointly defend and promote multilaterialism internationally, she said.

Contact the writer at wanglinyan@chinadaily.com.cn