Amid deep mistrust over trade and geopolitical differences, China is courting European powers, urging them to champion the EU’s strategic autonomy and framing its relationship with the bloc as a partnership defined by cooperation not confrontation.
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China and Europe had no geopolitical conflict or fundamental clash of core interests, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the French president’s diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne on Wednesday.
The two sides’ proper positioning should be as partners, Wang said during the meeting in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. “China hopes that France will encourage the European Union to uphold genuine strategic autonomy and adopt a correct perception of China.”
The meeting occurred against the backdrop of continuing mistrust stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine, a massive trade deficit exceeding €300 billion (US$349 billion) and reciprocal trade frictions that have led both sides to impose high tariffs.
Also on Wednesday, Wang met Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno. Later this week, he is set to hold discussions with Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden’s foreign affairs minister.
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