Beijing will preserve ties with Brussels

Li tells EU foreign policy chief support will continue as bloc makes transition

China hopes to continue working with the European Union to uphold multilateralism and champion free trade as a new EU leadership takes office, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday.

He made the remark in Beijing when meeting with Federica Mogherini, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

"China has all along supported the EU integration process, and we welcome a united and prosperous EU," Li said.

He said he appreciated Mogherini's positive efforts to promoting relations between China and the EU.

Noting that China and the EU share a wide range of common interests, Li called on the two sides to respect each other on the basis of equality, to implement the consensus reached during the 21st China-EU leaders' meeting, to quickly finish negotiations on the geographical indicators agreement on labeling of product origins and to work toward a conclusion of a bilateral investment agreement as scheduled.

They should adhere to two-way opening-up and focus on common development, he said.

The premier also called on China and the EU to keep close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues to push for greater progress in promoting China-EU relations and cooperation.

Mogherini said the leaders' meeting in Brussels in April was a success, and its results are being implemented.

Saying her visit to China aims to guarantee continuity as the EU leadership goes through a transition, she added, "The policy toward China, the attention of the EU toward China, will remain a priority for the incoming leadership of the EU."

The EU's foreign policy chief also said the EU stands ready to work with China in deepening comprehensive and practical cooperation and enhancing cooperation in global and regional issues such as climate change and the Iran nuclear deal.

In July, Ursula von der Leyen, the German defense minister, was nominated as the next European Commission president and Charles Michel, prime minister of Belgium, was elected as the next president of the European Council. They are expected to take office in November.