Cooperation far outweighs differences between China and the European Union (EU), said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a phone conversation with Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anze Logar on Tuesday.
Wang said that China and Slovenia have witnessed sound development of bilateral ties, solid political mutual trust and strong economic complementarity.
Noting that the year 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and that Beijing will hold the Winter Olympic Games the same year, Wang said China and Slovenia, a major winter sports power in Europe, should strengthen cooperation on winter sports, so as to add luster to the 30th anniversary, and open up new prospects for bilateral relations.
The two countries have supported each other in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further enriched the connotation of bilateral relations, he said.
China attaches great importance to Slovenia’s need to purchase anti-epidemic materials from China, and will continue to provide all conveniences, Wang said, adding he believes that Slovenia will win a complete victory over the pandemic.
Wang said that China stands ready to work with all countries, including Slovenia, to jointly oppose politicizing the pandemic, promote the development of global public health, and build a community of health for all.
There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and the EU, and cooperation far outweighs differences between the two sides, said Wang, noting that both China and the EU firmly support multilateralism, the central role of the United Nations in international affairs, and settling disputes by peaceful means.
Wang said that China and the EU should step up dialogue and exchanges and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises of both sides in the spirit of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
Slovenia will assume the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of next year. China expects Slovenia to take this opportunity to promote the process of European integration and greater development of China-EU relations and China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation, the Chinese foreign minister said.
Logar thanked China for providing anti-epidemic materials and purchasing convenience to Slovenia, and wished the Beijing Winter Olympics a complete success, saying that Slovenia is willing to plan activities with China to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Slovenia will hold the rotating presidency of the EU next year, and hopes to take the opportunity of promoting the agenda of tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity to strengthen cooperation with China and push forward the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership, said Logar.
The Slovenian top diplomat noted that China plays an important role in dealing with global problems, saying no global challenge can be met without China’s participation.
Slovenia believes that Europe and China should adhere to the principle of mutual respect and manage differences in a constructive way. Slovenia has been committed to promoting China-CEEC cooperation, believing that this mechanism is a valuable opportunity for CEE countries to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation with China, and will also be conducive to promoting EU-China cooperation, Logar said.
Chinese, Maltese FMs agree to further develop bilateral ties
Wang also spoke with Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo on Tuesday, with both sides agreeing to further develop bilateral ties.
In a phone talk, Wang expressed his gratitude for the understanding and support the Maltese side has given to China in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that China also provided Malta with anti-epidemic supplies and assistance and shared its experience in combating the virus.
He said the Chinese side believes that under the leadership of the new Maltese government, the Maltese side will eventually triumph over the outbreak.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the country has mobilized all the people and adopted the most rigorous and resolute measures to effectively control the epidemic situation, he said.
At present, China is accelerating its economic and social development while normalizing epidemic prevention and control, and is expected to become the first major economy to achieve positive growth, Wang said.
Noting that vaccines are a powerful means for the eventual victory against the pandemic, Wang said China has made smooth progress in vaccine research and development, and is willing to give active consideration to provide the vaccines, once being successfully put into use, for countries in need.
China and Malta, Wang said, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022, and both sides should plan commemorative activities at an early date.
China stands ready to work with the Maltese side to consolidate and deepen political mutual trust and expand practical cooperation abiding by the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, so as to usher in the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with more fruitful results, Wang said.
Malta has an important strategic position, and can serve as a gateway for Chinese companies to enter markets in the European Union (EU) and Africa, Wang said, adding that the Chinese government will continue to encourage and support Chinese companies to invest and do business in Malta.
China highly appreciates Malta’s adherence to the basic principles of independence, self-reliance and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs when dealing with international relations, Wang said.
China hopes and believes that Malta can play a constructive role in boosting China-Europe relations, and encourage the EU to take a more positive, cooperative and constructive attitude in viewing and developing relations with China, he said.
For his part, Bartolo expressed his gratitude for the great support and aid China provided when Malta needed them most in its anti-pandemic fight.
The Maltese side greatly values China’s announcement that it will make the COVID-19 vaccine a public good, as it will help to expand the accessibility and affordability of the vaccine to its utmost level, he said.
Malta-China relations have seen great progress since the diplomatic ties were established 50 years ago, Bartolo said, adding that the Maltese side expects to further develop bilateral ties on the basis of equality and mutual-benefit, and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Malta and hold discussions over tri-party cooperation in the EU and Africa.
Source: CGTN