China, EU should keep to right direction of developing bilateral relations: spokesman

China and the European Union (EU) should keep to the right direction of developing the bilateral relations, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun in Beijing on Thursday, calling the both sides to jointly strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation amid the severe and complex international landscape.

Guo made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to a media query about China-EU ties.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic ties and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. China-EU relations come to another critical historic juncture. Over the past 50 years, China-EU exchanges and cooperation have achieved fruitful results. The important experiences and lessons from them are mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, open cooperation and mutual benefits. These are also the important principles and direction of efforts for developing China-EU relations in the future. China and the EU both advocate multilateralism and openness and cooperation. The more severe and complex the international landscape becomes, the more necessary it is that China and the EU should strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation," he said.

"President Xi Jinping put forward three propositions on the future development of China-EU relations. First, we should uphold mutual respect and consolidate partnership. Second, we should uphold open cooperation and properly handle frictions and differences. Third, we should practice multilateralism and safeguard international rules and order. Faced with accelerating global transformation not seen in a century and a changing and turbulent world, China and the EU should keep to the right direction of developing the bilateral relations, make efforts to usher in an even brighter 50 years of China-EU relations, and provide more stability and certainty to the world," Guo said.

China, EU should keep to right direction of developing bilateral relations: spokesman

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for an official visit to China through Saturday.

This visit marks the first trip to China by a Canadian Prime Minister in eight years.

When briefing on the visit of Carney, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said President Xi Jinping will meet with the Canadian prime minister to provide new strategic guidance for further improving and developing China-Canada relations.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji will hold separate talks and meetings with the Canadian prime minister to conduct comprehensive and in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations as well as issues of mutual interest.

The spokesperson said China looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to enhance dialogue and communication, increase political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, properly manage differences, address each other's concerns and consolidate the momentum of improvement in China-Canada relations to bring greater benefit for the two peoples.

Canadian PM arrives in Beijing for official visit