China calls for 'partnership' with EU

According to the Global Times newspaper, Wang, who had contacts in Europe at the invitation of Germany, France and the EU between June 30 and July 6, met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, yesterday.

Wang reminded that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, stressing that in the current international conjuncture, Beijing and Brussels should embrace the understanding of partnership and cooperation.

"The two sides should strengthen communication, enhance mutual understanding, build trust, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system," Wang said, calling for China and the EU to become reliable, strong and mutually beneficial partners for "global stability."

Belgian Prime Minister De Wever, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of "increasing mutual trust and developing dialogue" between China and Europe "despite the differences of opinion" in the complex geopolitical environment.

De Wever also said Belgium believes in "multilateralism", supports Europe's "strengthening of its autonomy" and expects positive results from the China-EU leaders' summit.

De Wever also emphasized that Belgium is strictly committed to the "one China" policy and added that there will be no change in this attitude.

The parties also exchanged views on developments in Ukraine.