China-EU Foreign Ministers Phone Call... Borrell Proposes "Let's Open Strategic Dialogue"

Will the EU's Top Diplomat and China's Wang Yi Meet?

The resumption of Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, visiting China, which was canceled last month by the Chinese side, is drawing attention.

On the 6th, Josep Borrell conveyed his desire to visit China as soon as possible during a phone call with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, during the call, Representative Borrell said, "Europe is striving to develop good relations with China," and "The EU's 'Global Gateway' strategy and China's 'Belt and Road Initiative' are complementary and aim to promote global development."

He added, "I hope to visit China as soon as possible to start strategic dialogues with China and prepare for this year's EU-China summit to promote the development of bilateral relations."

Originally, Representative Borrell was scheduled to visit China on the 10th of last month to meet with former Foreign Minister Qin Gang to discuss the Ukraine war, trade, human rights, and other issues, but the visit was canceled due to notification from the Chinese side.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

In response, Vice Minister Wang welcomed "Representative Borrell leading a delegation to China this fall to hold strategic dialogues and conduct broad and deep exchanges to make political preparations for the summit."

He also said, "Currently, high-level exchanges between China and Europe maintain good momentum, and both sides consider cooperation partners as the most important feature of China-Europe relations."

He continued, "China always promotes China-Europe relations with a positive attitude and attaches great importance to the summit scheduled to be held within the year, hoping that this meeting will play a strategic driving role for China-Europe relations and cooperation between the two sides."

Additionally, the two sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, such as the Ukraine issue and the Niger military coup situation, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.