PNN – Considering that many consider the European Union’s policies dependent on the United States, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hope that the bloc will maintain its strategic independence.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, quoting Reuters, Wang Yi said today (Monday) while the relationship between Beijing and Brussels has weakened due to differences over trade issues that China and the EU are partners, not enemies. He requested that both sides think from the point of view of the other side and seek cooperation.
China’s Foreign Ministry announced in a statement that Wang made these remarks during a meeting with Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel in Beijing.
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While observers always criticize the EU’s strategic dependence on the US, Wang emphasized: In the face of increasing unilateralism and protectionism, we hope that the European Union will remain true to its original ideals and maintain its strategic independence.
In a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, China’s Foreign Minister said: Beijing is willing to make joint efforts with Luxembourg to promote the stable and healthy development of relations between China and the European Union.
Relations between China and the European Union have been turbulent in the past few months due to the imposition of tariffs by Brussels on Chinese electric cars, and Beijing has also taken countermeasures.
Following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, the European Union is preparing for a tense period with Washington, similar to his first term. In response to Trump’s inauguration, European leaders struggled to gain independence from America.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has repeatedly emphasized Europe’s greater strategic independence from America, said in response to Trump’s victory: I just spoke with [German] Chancellor Olaf Schultz. In this new context, we will work towards a more united, stronger and more sovereign Europe.