Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) — China and the European Union will hold the 25th China-EU leaders' meeting in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a daily briefing on Monday, during which he also outlined China's expectations for the upcoming summit and current China-EU relations.
Guo Jiakun pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
As the diplomat noted, the world is currently undergoing changes at an accelerated pace that have not been seen in a century, the international situation is chaotically transforming, manifestations of unilateralism and bullying are dealing serious blows to international rules and international order, as a result of which humanity once again finds itself at a decisive crossroads.
The official stressed that it is at this moment that China and the EU, as two major forces promoting multipolarity, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations advocating diversity, are holding the 25th leaders' meeting, which will be of great significance and will attract wide attention from the international community.
"Over the past half century, China-EU relations have gone through many tests and are now steadily moving towards maturity and stability, becoming one of the most influential bilateral relations in the world," Guo Jiakun said.
China-EU cooperation, he continued, has yielded fruitful results, provided strong support for the development of both sides, brought tangible benefits to the nearly 2 billion people of China and the EU countries, made an important contribution to world peace and development, and set a model for mutually beneficial cooperation in the era of economic globalization.
Guo Jiakun noted that over the past 50 years, annual trade turnover between China and the EU has grown from $2.4 billion to $785.8 billion, while mutual investment has increased from near zero to nearly $260 billion. The Chinese diplomat added that bilateral humanitarian exchanges have become increasingly close, and the two sides have established effective cooperation on climate change and other issues.
"At the same time, China-EU relations are also facing challenges," Guo Jiakun noted. According to him, some EU officials persistently characterize bilateral relations in terms of "partner-competitor-rival", inflate private trade and economic issues, and make groundless accusations against China over the Ukraine issue, which creates unnecessary obstacles for China-EU relations.
The Chinese side believes that over its 50-year history, relations between China and the EU have accumulated sufficient experience and positive energy to withstand any “winds and storms”, difficulties and challenges, the official representative emphasized.
With the 25th China-EU leaders' meeting coming up, China-EU relations are at an important stage where they inherit the traditions of the past and open a new path to the future, he said.
"The Chinese side expects the EU to meet China halfway, view its relations with China from a comprehensive, dialectical and long-term perspective, summarize the experience and lessons of the past 50 years of bilateral relations, follow the trend of the times, live up to the aspirations of the people of both sides and the international community, build consensus, overcome differences and jointly plan cooperation for the next 50 years, so as to jointly create an even better future for the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership," Guo Jiakun concluded. -0-
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