Wang urges dialogue over China-EU trade friction

China and the European Union should remain committed to their partnership, pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, maintain mutual openness, and resolve current economic and trade frictions through constructive dialogue to avoid an escalation into confrontation, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang made the remarks during a phone conversation with France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot.

Protectionism cannot enhance Europe's competitiveness, Wang said. Instead, it would deprive consumers of quality products at competitive prices, cause fuel inflation, and slow the green transition.

China is one of the world's largest markets, and its development represents an opportunity rather than a challenge for the EU, he said.

Wang expressed hope that France, as a major country with strategic vision, would take a pragmatic and rational approach, encourage the EU to work with China in the same direction, view China's development more accurately, and play a positive role in maintaining stable China-EU relations.

Barrot said France was willing to promote constructive exchanges between the EU and China to find solutions to the current difficulties and challenges in their economic and trade relations.

On China-France ties, Wang said the one-China principle is the political foundation of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. He expressed hope that France would uphold the principle through concrete actions, refrain from conducting any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, and avoid sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.

Wang said the international situation was undergoing growing turbulence and transformation, and that China and France, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, should strengthen strategic communication and jointly respond to risks and challenges.

China supports France in fulfilling its role as the rotating president of the Security Council this month and expects it to help the council play its due role, he added.

Barrot told Wang that France firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in Iran, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and other issues of common concern. Wang said China's four-point proposal on a new security architecture for the Middle East provides a public good for regional peace and stability and demonstrates China's constructive role.