On March 1, 2022, Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng held a video conversation with Secretary-General of the European External Action Service of the European Union (EU) Stefano Sannino at the latter's request.

Le Yucheng said, China-EU relations have a global influence. China always views and develops its relations with the EU from a strategic and long-term perspective and maintains a positive and stable policy towards the EU. The new progress made in China-EU relations last year shows once again that the two sides share broad common interests and a profound basis for cooperation. China and the EU are not rivals but partners. The two sides should work together to make this year's China-EU leaders' meeting a success, focus on cooperation and consensus, jointly uphold multilateralism, properly manage differences, promote the steady and long-term development of China-EU relations, and provide more stability and positive energy for the world.

Sannino said, Europe and China are two great civilizations with a long history. Bilateral relations are becoming more mature with fruitful cooperation. The two sides should conduct candid communication on issues of common concern in the spirit of mutual respect, handle differences constructively and jointly safeguard world stability. The EU expects the EU-China leaders' meeting this year to achieve positive outcomes and push for greater development of bilateral relations.

Both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine issue.