Li urges EU to adopt objective, rational policy toward China

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with European Council President Charles Michel on the sidelines of the leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation held in Vientiane, Laos on Oct 11, 2024. (Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/chinadaily.com.cn)

Premier Li Qiang called on the European Union on Friday to properly view China's development and adopt an objective and rational policy toward China.

Li made the remarks during his meeting with European Council President Charles Michel on the sidelines of the leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation held in Vientiane, Laos.

The meeting came a week after the EU countries voted to impose duties of up to 35.3 percent on imports of electric vehicles from China from the end of this month.

Meanwhile, China announced on Tuesday it would impose provisional tariffs of 30.6 to 39 percent on brandies imported from the EU.

Li emphasized the importance of maintaining sound relationship between China and Europe, saying enhancing their pragmatic cooperation is conducive to their respective development, global prosperity and stability as well as working together to address global challenges.

It is the shared responsibility of both China and the EU as well as an expectation of the international community to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of relations between China and Europe, he said.

The premier highlighted that China sees Europe as an important direction in its diplomacy and a crucial partner in promoting Chinese modernization.

China is also an important partner for Europe in achieving energy and green transitions and promoting peace and development, he said.

As next year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, Li expressed China's willingness to take the anniversary as an opportunity to work with the EU to further consolidate the positive momentum in their relations, enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and make greater contributions to improving the well-being of both peoples and promoting global peace and development.

Michel said that the EU positively acknowledges China's development achievements in recent years and highly values its comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

The EU wants to resolve relevant issues through dialogue and consultation and promote the development of the EU-China economic and trade relations, he said.

Noting the EU upholds strategic autonomy, Michel said that the EU is ready to enhance communication and coordination with China in multilateral affairs and jointly address global challenges such as climate change.