Li Keqiang, President of the European Council Michel and President of the European Commission Von der Leyen co-chaired the 22nd China-EU Leaders' Meeting, emphasizing the expansion of two-way openness and deepening of pragmatic cooperation to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, June 22. Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council co-chaired the 22nd China-EU Leaders' Meeting with European Council President Michel and European Commission President Von der Leyen in the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of the 22nd. The meeting was held by video.

On June 22, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council co-chaired the 22nd China-EU Leaders' Meeting with European Council President Michel and European Commission President von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (imposition photo). The meeting was held by video. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Pang Xinglei

Li Keqiang said that China and the EU are each other's comprehensive strategic partners. The cooperation between the two sides far exceeds competition, and consensus far exceeds differences. China attaches great importance to its relations with Europe, and President Xi Jinping will hold a video meeting with you. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago, the relationship between China and the EU has maintained the main tone of cooperation, enhanced the well-being of the people of both sides, and injected more stability into the complex and changing world. China has always supported the process of European integration and hopes to see a united and prosperous Europe. The two sides should look at China-EU relations from a long-term perspective and a broader perspective, adhere to the positioning of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, enhance understanding through enhanced dialogue, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results through deepening cooperation, and jointly contribute to the maintenance of world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Li Keqiang pointed out that China and the EU are both major economies in the world. In the face of the huge impact of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the two sides should strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, jointly maintain the stability of the supply chain of China-Europe and global industrial chains, and provide impetus for the recovery of the world economy. We will strive to complete the negotiations on the China-EU Investment Agreement within this year and reach a comprehensive, balanced and high-level investment agreement. Early signing of the EU-China Geographical Indications Agreement. China unswervingly follows the path of peaceful development, unswervingly expands its opening up, and is committed to creating a market-oriented, legal and international business environment for enterprises of all countries. European enterprises have benefited from it. It is hoped that the EU will also keep its trade and investment markets open, relax export restrictions to China and facilitate bilateral high-tech trade. China and the EU can better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results by expanding two-way opening up on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual respect.

Li Keqiang said that both China and the EU support multilateralism and free trade. We are willing to maintain communication with the European side on issues such as the reform of the World Trade Organization, jointly safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system, constructively participate in the multilateral process of addressing climate change, and constantly enrich the connotation of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. We will continue to support the World Health Organization in playing a leading role in global cooperation in the fight against the epidemic, deepen cooperation in vaccine and drug research and development, and work together to defeat the epidemic at an early date.

Michel and von der Leyen said that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Europe and China. Against the backdrop of many challenges facing the world, Europe and China have maintained close communication and exchanges, and in the fight against the epidemic, the two sides have supported each other and united in the fight against the epidemic. The epidemic has hit countries, but the willingness to cooperate between Europe and China has not diminished. The European side appreciates China's active participation in the relevant international anti-epidemic cooperation initiatives launched by the European side, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on economic recovery and jointly safeguard the security of the industrial chain and supply chain. It is hoped that the two sides will further expand market opening, strengthen connectivity, deepen cooperation in trade, investment, digital economy and other fields, and implement the goal of reaching an EU-China investment agreement within this year. The European side is willing to complete the internal procedures of the EU-China Geographical Indications Agreement at an early date, and is willing to deepen communication and coordination with China on WTO reform issues, strengthen cooperation on climate change issues, jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and make efforts to achieve a more sustainable and safer world.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Wang Yi and He Lifeng attended the meeting.

Source: Xinhua