Wang Yi: China, EU are partners, not rivals

China and the European Union (EU) are partners, not rivals, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

The development of the manufacturing industry depends on fair competition, not protectionism, Wang said during a telephonic conversation with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said he hopes that the Hungarian side will continue to push the EU to adopt a more positive and open cooperation policy towards China, work with China to practice genuine multilateralism, safeguard the UN-centered international system, and promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.

The EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into China’s electric vehicles is against the basic rules of international trade and is likely to disrupt the global automotive industrial and supply chains, Wang noted, adding China insists on taking the green, low-carbon and sustainable development path, which is completely consistent with the development direction of the EU.

For his part, Szijjarto said the Hungarian side strongly opposes decoupling from China.

Hungary hopes that the EU and China could cooperate closely, and does not support the EU taking any measures that are not conducive to fair competition and cooperation, Szijjarto said.

The Hungarian side appreciates China’s efforts in promoting peace in Europe and wishes that the Chinese side could continue to play an active role in this regard, he added. (CGTN)

(With input from Xinhua)