On January 17, 2019, Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Jun met with Secretary General for the European External Action Service Helga Schmid.

Zhang Jun stressed that the Chinese side attaches great importance to China-European Union (EU) comprehensive strategic partnership, and stands ready to, together with the EU side, intensify coordination and cooperation, jointly safeguard multilateralism, strengthen the authority and role of the United Nations, guide the G20 to hold the right development direction, safeguard the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear issue, deepen Asia-Europe connectivity and jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative, in a bid to contribute to international peace and stability as well as sustainable development.

Helga Schmid noted that the EU firmly supports and safeguards the rules-based international order, appreciates the Chinese side's positive role in such fields as multilateral security and economy, and is ready to work with the Chinese side to strengthen strategic communication and deepen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

Both sides exchanged in-depth views on a series of issues in multilateral areas.