European officials' visits set to bolster trust

The successive visits of foreign ministers from two European countries to China within a week are expected to further bolster the China-European Union partnership and highlight their shared aspiration to uphold openness and cooperation, strengthen trust and solidarity, and safeguard multilateralism, analysts said.

On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, together with Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel, co-chaired a strategic dialogue in Beijing.

Rangel's five-day visit, which began on Monday, is the first by a high-level Portuguese government official in more than five years.

On Thursday, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot will start a two-day visit to China, his first since taking office in September.

Commenting on the visit, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said earlier that it is imperative for China and France, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and comprehensive strategic partners, to enhance strategic communication, contributing to world peace, stability and development.

During the talks with Rangel, Wang emphasized that unity and cooperation are the only right choices for all countries faced with an international landscape marked by turbulence and uncertainty. "The world must move forward, not revert to the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak."

Wang underscored that China values Portugal's unique role within the EU and on the global stage, adding that Beijing is willing to strengthen coordination with Lisbon to uphold multilateralism, safeguard the status and role of the United Nations and defend international fairness and justice.

He reaffirmed that China sees the EU as a key pillar in a multipolar world and supports the EU in maintaining its strategic autonomy.

"China is ready to work with the EU to strengthen partnerships, expand openness and cooperation, and promote the healthy development of the relationship," Wang said, expressing the hope that Portugal will play a constructive role in this effort.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Portugal comprehensive strategic partnership and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.

Portugal remains one of the EU countries with the highest per capita Chinese investment. According to the Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency, by the end of 2024, China had become Portugal's fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment.

Wang reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to working with Lisbon to build a more stable, productive, and dynamic bilateral relationship while strengthening the China-EU strategic partnership rooted in mutual trust and shared success.

He also emphasized that Chinese modernization is rooted in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, offering greater opportunities not only for Portugal but also for the world at large.

Recognizing the significant contribution of Chinese investment to Portugal's economic and social development, Rangel emphasized that his nation welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and operate on its soil.

Portugal attaches great importance to Portugal-China relations and firmly adheres to the one-China policy, he said.

Cui Hongjian, director of Beijing Foreign Studies University's Center for European Union and Regional Development Studies, said: "China and the EU have a solid foundation for cooperation and share many common interests. At this critical juncture, the strategic importance of managing China-EU relations well is greater than ever."

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China and the EU are each other's second-largest trading partners. China is the EU's third-largest export market and its largest source of imports.

"China is neither a challenge nor a threat. In addressing global crises, including the Ukraine crisis and rising unilateralism, the EU will come to see China as a reliable partner," Cui said.

Feng Zhongping, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, said that as the United States is pursuing unilateralism and protectionism, it is crucial for China and the EU to step up cooperation and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.

zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn