China urges dialogue to resolve trade disputes with EU

China is willing to strengthen communication and consultation with the European Union to properly handle trade differences, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday.

Guo made the remarks after EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic met Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in ​Brussels on Monday with both sides stressing the need to resolve trade disputes through dialogue.

"China and the EU are partners, not rivals," Guo told a regular news briefing, noting that bilateral economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial.

China is not to blame for the challenges the EU is facing, and deeper cooperation and common development are key to addressing the economic and trade issues between the two sides, he said.

"China stands ready to work with the EU, on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, to constructively manage trade differences and jointly safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains," Guo said.