The European Union (EU) should view its economic and trade relations with China from an all-round and objective perspective, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
Mao's remarks came in response to a question about recent comments from EU officials suggesting the bloc must balance its trade with China.
"World trade is a two-way choice and there is no such thing as forced buying or selling. The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. China has never deliberately sought a trade surplus with Europe. The EU side should take an all-round and objective view of the China-EU economic and trade relations, and uphold its commitments to free trade. China is closely monitoring the EU's moves and will take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," Mao said.
EU should take all-round, objective perspective on trade relations with China: spokeswoman
EU should take all-round, objective perspective on trade relations with China: spokeswoman
Cooperation with China brings great benefits, said former Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, noting that China is not only a major economic power but also a very important global player.
She made the statement in an interview at the 7th Local Leaders' Meeting of China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) underway in Jinan, east China’s Shandong Province.
The event has drawn key guests from several Central and Eastern European countries, including Dancila.
Trade between China and Central and Eastern European countries, including Romania, has grown strongly in recent years.
While EU leaders visit China to seek the best possible relations, Brussels continues to push divergent positions with Beijing — a contradiction that Dancila said must be resolved by acknowledging China's role as a major economic and global player.
"I believe that we must start from the existing reality. China is not only a very big economic power, but China is also a very important global player at the moment. And when decisions are made in Brussels, they must take this into account. Because a very good relationship with China would bring great benefits. We see that Brussels decides that there should be certain divergent opinions with China, but at the same time, leaders of European Union member states visit China, and they want to have the best possible relations with China," she said.
The former Prime Minister of Romania recalled her tenure as a time of close Romania-China relations, driven not only by government-level collaboration but also by a personal commitment to people-to-people friendship.
"I think there are many elements in this regard. When I was the Prime Minister of Romania, the period was marked by having some of the best relations with China. The fact that, at that time, ties were very strong at the institutional and governmental levels, brought development to Romania. President Xi Jinping said, friendship must remain in people's hearts. I took this into account, and I tried to make connections between the Romanian and Chinese people," she said.
Cooperation with China brings great benefits: former Romanian PM
