Wang asks EU to uphold multilateralism, oppose confrontation

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the EU to uphold genuine multilateralism and oppose attempts to stoke a new Cold War.

He made the remarks when meeting with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on Thursday on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

China and the EU, being the two major forces in the process of multi-polarization, should adhere to the basic positioning of the comprehensive strategic partnership and maintain positive trends of dialogue and communication, Wang said.

Confronted with severe and complex challenges, Wang underscored the two sides should seek common ground while putting aside differences and adhere to mutual benefit and win-win results.

He called for the rejection of de-coupling and cutting supply chains, which is in breach of economic law, and opposition to the zero-sum game and bloc confrontation.

Wang reiterated that China was willing to work with the EU to uphold the United Nations-centered international system and the international order based on the international law.

Borrell said the EU sticks to strategic independence and always believes that shared interests between the group and China far outweigh their differences.

The EU stands ready to conduct more strategic coordination and cooperation with China, he said, while pledging the EU will firmly abide by the one-China principle.

He expressed the deep concerns of the EU on the serious negative impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, appealing for an early ceasefire to prevent a greater crisis.

He hoped that China would play a significant role in achieving peace while maintaining that all parties should deeply reflect on the cause of the conflict and find a fundamental solution.

In response, Wang said all efforts China made on the Ukraine issue could be boiled down to facilitating dialogue for peace, adding it would continue to uphold the objective and just position and play a constructive role in this regard.

Wang said all parties should address legitimate concerns and eliminate potential dangers of conflicts, adding China supports the EU in proactively playing a coordinated role and offering a practical and feasible solution to the Ukraine issue.