China-EU ties of even greater strategic significance: FM on von der Leyen's remarks on China ties

In response to European Commission President Ursula that EU and China can find agreements that could even expand trade and investment ties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that as the world faces the risks of bloc-formation, fragmentation, and disorder, the China-EU relationship is of even greater strategic significance with a far-reaching global impact. 

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, China is willing to work with the EU to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both sides, jointly organize commemorative activities for the 50th anniversary and high-level exchanges, Lin said. 

China will work with the EU to strengthen strategic communication and policy coordination, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation, properly handle differences, jointly address global challenges, and promote the sound and forward-moving development of China-EU relations, injecting more stability and certainty to the world, he noted.

As U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the EU could be the next to face U.S. tariffs, von der Leyen – seen by media as the continent’s most prominent China hawk – stated on Tuesday that there is room to strengthen trade relations and even “find agreements” with Beijing, in “an era of hyper-competitive and hyper-transactional geopolitics.”

"We will keep de-risking our economic relationship – as we have been doing in recent years. But there is also room to engage constructively with China – and find solutions in our mutual interest,” von der Leyen said in a speech before the EU’s diplomatic corps in Brussels, South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday. 

Commenting on her remarks, Lin told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday that at present, unprecedented global transformation is accelerating, with the international situation becoming increasingly complex and turbulent. The world is facing the risks of polarization, fragmentation, and disorder. “In such a context, the China-EU relationship is of even greater strategic significance and has a far-reaching global influence,” Lin said. 

China attaches great importance to its relations with the EU, viewing Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner and a significant and independent pole in a multi-polar world, Lin added. China hopes that the EU can also become a trustworthy partner for China, the spokesperson said.