The
launch of an EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership in
2003 had promised to elevate ties beyond trade and investment.
But since 2019, the 27-nation bloc has called China an "economic
competitor" and a "systemic rival", with Beijing's close
relations with Moscow after Russia's invasion of Ukraine
increasing the caution.
China and the EU should strengthen communication, enhance mutual
trust and deepen cooperation, and the bloc should not "waver",
let alone encourage back-pedalling in words and deeds, Wang told
Borrell on Friday on the sidelines of regional meetings in
Jakarta, according to a readout from the Chinese foreign
ministry on Saturday.
Last month, EU leaders committed to lessening the area's
dependence on China and debated how to strike a balance between
"de-risking" and cooperating in areas such as climate change. In
March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a
hardening of China's position required Europe to "de-risk" both
economically and diplomatically.
The Commission is also urging EU members to agree to stronger
controls on exports and outflows of technologies for military
use by "countries of concern".
During his meeting with Borrell, Wang called on both sides to
guard against the politicisation of economic issues and the use
of "de-risking" as another term for "decoupling".
There is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and
the EU, Wang said.
Borrell, in a post on Twitter, described his talks with Wang on
managing EU-China relations as "constructive" and "in-depth".
On Ukraine, Wang said China supports a balanced, effective and
sustainable European security architecture, and will continue to
promote talks for peace and play a constructive role in seeking
a political settlement of the crisis.
Borrell tweeted that he had "expressed EU expectations as to
China's role to help ending Russia's war of aggression against
Ukraine and to provide humanitarian assistance".
He said he and Wang "also discussed on preserving stability and
the status quo in the Taiwan Strait".
(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Michael Perry and William
Mallard)
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