Wang Yi Meets with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles

On July 7, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Bali Island.

Borrell said, the EU is committed to strategic autonomy and always holds that common interests between the EU and China far outweigh differences. The EU is ready to firmly pursue the one-China principle and conduct more strategic coordination and cooperation with China. The EU is deeply concerned about the serious negative impact of the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and calls for an early ceasefire to prevent further crisis. He hopes that China will play an important role in achieving peace. At the same time, all parties should deeply reflect on the root causes of the conflict and find fundamental solutions.

Wang Yi said, as two major important forces for a multi-polar world, China and the EU should stick to the fundamental position of comprehensive strategic partnership and maintain the positive momentum of dialogue and communication. In the face of severe and complex challenges, China and the EU need to seek common ground while shelving differences, expand common ground while resolving differences, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. The two sides need to uphold true multilateralism, and reject attempts to decouple from or cut off supply chains and acts that violate objective economic laws. The two sides need to oppose the attempts of zero-sum games, inciting bloc confrontation and provoking a "new Cold War". China is ready to work with the EU to jointly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law.

On the Ukraine issue, Wang Yi said that all parties should seriously reflect on the root causes of the conflict, properly address the reasonable concerns of all parties and fundamentally eliminate the risks of war. President Xi Jinping elaborated on China's position in a comprehensive and clear manner on the basis of the "four musts", providing important guidance for striving for lasting peace and security. All the efforts China has made so far can be attributed to promoting peace talks. We will continue to uphold an objective and impartial position and play a constructive role. China supports the EU in upholding its strategic autonomy, playing a more active coordinating role and coming up with practical and feasible solutions.