The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and China's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, highlighted cooperation between the EU and China on Monday 18 March, without being blind to competition between the two major powers. The Chinese Minister met with his European counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council lunch - the first such meeting since the beginning of China's relations with the EU.
"Competition is inevitable, but cooperation is essential", the Chinese minister summarised, later stating that "if competition is not a bad thing in itself, what is decisive in the relationship is cooperation".
Ms Mogherini said that cooperation should be pragmatic and realistic. "The EU is committed to strengthening cooperation with China. China is a leading global economic and political power and a strategic global partner for the European Union. We are cooperating intensively and successfully in many areas where we share common interests", she explained, citing the agreement on Iran's nuclear power, Afghanistan, the Korean peninsula, the fight against climate change or Africa.
"We have identified areas where we could do more together in the international arena and how to ensure that relations between the European Union and China are conducted in a fair, respectful, balanced and mutually beneficial manner", she added. Mr Wang Yi said that there was a consensus with Europeans on rules-based multilateralism, cooperation in the fight against climate change, terrorism and extremism, non-proliferation, implementation of the development agenda and reducing inequalities and the North/South divide.
The Minister also highlighted the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts through dialogue and consultation, although his country does not respect international law in the South China Sea.
Ms Mogherini announced that both sides had agreed to strengthen and intensify their cooperation in the field of security and defence. According to Mr Wang Yi, China is ready to cooperate with the EU on cybersecurity, while his country is often accused of being the perpetrator of global cyber attacks.
The High Representative and the Chinese Minister discussed how to broaden cooperation in the face of global challenges, particularly when it comes to promoting an open global economy.
While China remains one of the least open economies to foreign direct investment, the minister explained that his country supports an "open economy", that it is "against protectionism". "Europe has everything to gain from further reforms and the opening up of China, and we hope that Chinese companies will in turn be able to benefit from fair and non-discriminatory treatment in Europe", he added.
Mr Wang Yi asks Europeans to be fair to Huawei
In particular, the Minister called on Member States not to veto Chinese technology companies in the development of 5G mobile networks. "I hope that countries will create a fair and equitable competitive environment for businesses in all countries", said Minister Wang Yi. He denounced the "unfounded accusations of political purposes and attempts to bring down a foreign company", Huawei implied. "We believe that such practices are abnormal, immoral and have no support", he added, adding that States must make their choices independently. Ms Mogherini said she had discussed the need to regulate cyberspace with the Chinese minister, "that international rules can also apply to cyberspace".
While Mr Wang Yi did not say anything about it, the EU High Representative also recalled the importance of human rights for the EU. The next EU-China human rights dialogue is expected to take place in early April. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)