China reminds EU to chart its own course as European leaders reach out to Biden
- Chinese foreign minister seeks briefing on the bloc’s initiative for a transatlantic alliance with US president-elect
- Call to Brussels urges EU to avoid economic decoupling and a new cold war
China called on the European Union to keep charting its own course on Beijing on Monday as US president-elect Joe Biden reached out to the bloc’s political leaders to build a transatlantic alliance.
In a phone call with Josep Borrell, his counterpart in Brussels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the EU to avoid a new cold war and economic decoupling.
Wang asked Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, to brief him on the bloc’s initiative for a dialogue with the US, specifically on China policy, according to a diplomatic source.
“China hopes that Europe’s strategic autonomy can be reflected in the formulation and implementation of a correct China policy,” Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.
“The relations between big nations should not be either/or, let alone a zero-sum game. China hopes the EU can establish a China policy framework based on cooperation.”
“Borrell also emphasised that the EU remains committed to building a comprehensive relationship with China, again taking into account the EU’s interests and values and based on mutual commitment and reciprocity,” the statement said.