China and EU close ranks to guard rules-based international order

The China-EU leaders’ meeting has demonstrated the determination of both sides to safeguard multilateralism, consolidating the momentum of improvement in China-EU ties and adding significant stability to the current world full of uncertainties, a senior Chinese diplomat has said.

“This summit has further consolidated the momentum of the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations and contributed important stability factors to the current world full of uncertainties,” Ambassador Zhang Ming, head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, told Xinhua in an interview.

During the 20th China-EU leaders’ meeting on Monday, China and the EU have agreed to jointly work to safeguard the rules-based international order, promote multilateralism and support free trade.

The summit, held in Beijing, was cochaired by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Zhang said China and the EU, as two major forces and economies of the world, have clearly resisted unilateralism and trade protectionism, resolutely safeguarded the multilateral trading system based on rules and with the World Trade Organization as the core, and agreed to establish a mechanism for the WTO.

“It conforms to the common aspirations of the international community to maintain rules, expand openness and deepen cooperation,” the ambassador said.

“This is the most important achievement of this leaders’ meeting and highlights the global significance of ChinaEU relations,” Zhang added.

In his view, the agreement has also demonstrated the broad prospects for pragmatic cooperation between China and Europe.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of forging a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European Union.

The leaders of the two sides had scored achievements in areas of trade, investment, diplomacy, connectivity and climate change in the past 15 years.

The two sides have called on efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation in areas including environment, energy, circular economy, scientific innovation, intellectual property rights (IPR), industry, digital economy, and urbanization.

Both sides pledged to deepen ChinaEU Dialogue on IPR and strengthen their collaboration in IPR protection.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on regional and international issues of common interest.

“It has made clear the direction for further cooperation between China and the EU,” Zhang noted.

Mentioning the issuing of China-EU leaders’ statement on climate change and clean energy, Zhang said it showed a responsible attitude of both sides to improve global governance.

Both sides also agreed to jointly safeguard the UN charter and international law, and enhance dialogues on diplomacy and security policy to address common challenges.

“It demonstrated the common aspirations of China and the EU to promote international peace and stability,” Zhang said.

This article is from the Xinhua News Agency. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn