Ministry of Foreign Affairs
People’s Republic of China
President of the European Council António Costa Meets with Wang Yi
Updated: July 02, 2025 21:16

On July 2, 2025 local time, President of the European Council António Costa met with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brussels.

António Costa noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the European Union (EU) and China, which presents an important opportunity for further development of bilateral relations. Both the EU and China support multilateralism, and in the face of a world with rising uncertainties, both sides have the responsibility to send clear and strong signals on key issues, injecting stability, confidence, and positive expectations into the world. Although there are differences between the EU and China, the EU is willing to uphold mutual respect, rise above differences, enhance understanding, and work together to address global challenges. The EU looks forward to working with China to ensure the full success of the upcoming EU-China Summit. The EU will continue to firmly pursue the one-China policy.

Wang Yi said that earlier this year, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Mr. President António Costa, marking the beginning of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. Both sides agreed to stay committed to the positioning as partners, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, uphold multilateralism, and properly handle differences and frictions, which has charted the course for the development of China-EU relations. China regards Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world and maintains continuity and stability in its policy towards Europe. Whether Europe is in a time of prosperity or adversity, China has always supported European integration and is glad to see the EU enhance its strategic autonomy and play a greater role in the international arena. China is ready to enhance communication and coordination with the EU, prepare for the upcoming summit, and inject new dimensions into and open up new prospects for the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang Yi stated that the world today is undergoing transformation and turbulence, with unilateralism and bullying acts severely undermining the international order and international rules. When the two major forces and economies, China and Europe, uphold dialogue and cooperation, bloc confrontation can hardly take shape; when they choose openness and mutual benefit, the trend of economic globalization will not be reversed; when they jointly practice multilateralism, the world will not descend into chaos. The more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen solidarity and coordination, and firmly act as forces of stability in a turbulent world. It is essential to earnestly respect each other's core interests, enhance understanding and mutual trust, help each other succeed, and bring benefits to the whole world.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues. Wang Yi emphasized that China has always based its position on the merits of the matter and will continue to firmly stand on the side of peace and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks and political settlement of the crisis.

On the same day, Wang Yi met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.