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Li Keqiang Meets with European Council President Charles Michel

2022-12-01 23:55

On the afternoon of December 1, 2022, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council met with President of the European Council Charles Michel at the Great Hall of the People.

Michel expressed deep condolences over the passing of Comrade Jiang Zemin.

Li Keqiang said that we deeply mourn the passing of Comrade Jiang Zemin, and expressed thanks for the condolences from the European Union (EU).

Li Keqiang noted that China and the EU are important forces for maintaining peace and promoting development in the world, and also major economies, complementing each other's advantages. China attaches great importance to China-EU relations. President Xi Jinping had in-depth and friendly talks with Michel. China stands ready to boost cooperation with the EU on the basis of mutual respect and equality, and properly handle disputes and differences, to promote the sound and steady development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. This not only serves the interests of the two sides but also is conducive to safeguarding peace, stability, development and prosperity in the world.

Li Keqiang said that China and the EU both uphold the UN-centered international system, safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and support free and fair trade. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has been deepened, with trade and investment reaching new heights in recent years. China is ready to work with the EU to strengthen macro policy coordination, deepen cooperation in key areas, jointly safeguard energy and food security and the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and respond to climate change and other challenges.

Li Keqiang emphasized that China firmly supports European integration, hopes to see a united and prosperous EU, and supports the EU in playing a more important role in international affairs. As the world today is faced with complex problems and challenges, Li Keqiang also expressed the hope that China and the EU will open up further to each other on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win results. China will stay committed to the fundamental national policy of opening-up and will open its door wider to the world. China will make steady efforts to foster a market-oriented and law-based business environment up to international standards, treat various kinds of companies as equals, and welcome enterprises from all countries to continue to invest and operate in China. China will steadily open its financial sector wider while safeguarding its own financial stability, and encourage qualified foreign institutional investors to expand investment. The RMB exchange rate will be kept generally stable at an adaptive, balanced level.

Michel said that the EU values its cooperation with China, and stands ready to work with China to enhance dialogue and exchanges, jointly safeguard multilateralism, boost international cooperation, uphold free trade and stable and unimpeded international supply chains, and respond to climate change, energy security and other global challenges together. The EU adheres to the one-China policy, and looks forward to making a new round of EU-China leaders' meeting a success with China, to strengthen communication and mutual understanding.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Li Keqiang elaborated on China's principled position, noting that China always stands for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The use of nuclear weapons must be rejected, and nuclear war must never be fought. China supports all efforts conducive to peacefully resolving the crisis and will continue to play a constructive role.

He Lifeng, among others, was present at the meeting.

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