Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) headed to Europe for talks with counterparts from the EU, Germany and France from tomorrow, Beijing said on Friday, as it seeks to shore up fraught ties with the bloc.
Beijing has sought to improve relations with Europe as a counterweight to superpower rival US, although frictions remain over trade and China’s close ties with Russia despite its war in Ukraine.
China and the EU would also host a summit next month marking 50 years since Beijing and Brussels established diplomatic ties.
Photo: Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
Wang’s trip would take him to Brussels, France and Germany from tomorrow to Sunday, Beijing said.
“The world is undergoing an accelerated evolution of a century-old change, with unilateralism, protectionism and bullying behavior becoming rampant,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) said — a thinly veiled swipe against the US under US President Donald Trump.
Wang would meet with EU counterpart Kaja Kallas at the bloc’s headquarters in Brussels for “high-level strategic dialogue,” he said.
In Germany he would hold talks with German Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul on diplomacy and security — his first visit since Berlin’s new government took power last month.
Beijing looks forward to “strengthening strategic communication, enhancing pragmatic cooperation and promoting new developments of the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership,” Guo said.
Ties between Berlin and Beijing were “injecting certainty, stability and positive energy into a turbulent world,” he added.
In France, Wang would meet French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, who visited China in March.
“Foreign Minister Wang Yi will exchange views with the French side on the international situation, China-France ties and China-Europe relations,” Guo said.
In Brussels, Wang would also hold talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever and Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot, Beijing said.
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