The head of China’s mission to the EU, Ambassador Zhang Ming, this Wednesday asked Brussels to deepen bilateral relations, and said he hoped that the European Union’s desire for strategic autonomy will guide its foreign policy in the future.
Speaking of a “think tank” of the “Friends of Europe” institution, Ambassador Zhang Ming recalled that the EU is China’s biggest trading partner, although both are, in parallel, competitors.
In December 2020, the EU and China signed an investment agreement, but Brussels also expressed concern about freedom of expression, intimidation of journalists and the detention of human rights defenders, lawyers and intellectuals in China.
“China and the EU are comprehensive and strategic partners with 45 years of diplomatic relations. The China / EU relationship has stood the test of time and has a solid foundation and a value of its own. It is not linked to any other important relationship with the country, ”argued Zhang Ming.
The Chinese diplomat said that the EU is a “strong advocate of strategic autonomy and open cooperation” and said he hoped that “that spirit will continue to guide EU foreign policy and contribute to global stability and development”.
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