On the afternoon of April 6, 2023, President Xi Jinping met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China has always regarded the EU as a strategic force in the international situation, and has always regarded the development of China-EU relations as a priority in China's diplomacy. It is willing to continue the good tradition with the EU, maintain close communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, and focus on mutual benefit and win-win results Cooperation, jointly overcome disturbances and challenges, and achieve a high-level operation of China-EU relations.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China and the EU should strengthen communication, establish correct mutual understanding, and avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment. The Chinese nation has a history of more than 5,000 years of civilization. It has always opposed military aggression, bullying the weak, and a strong country seeking hegemony. China's development is to enable the Chinese people to live a better life. At the same time, China resolutely safeguards its sovereignty, security, and development interests, and will never allow any force to deprive the Chinese people of the right to pursue happiness. China and the EU should focus on cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win results, support economic globalization and trade liberalization, conduct in-depth dialogue and communication on issues in economic and trade cooperation, and reach arrangements acceptable to both sides through negotiation.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the sound development of China-EU relations cannot be separated from independence, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. China firmly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and respects the right of people of all countries to independently choose their development path. The development of bilateral relations between China and any country is not targeted at, not dependent on, nor subject to third parties. China and the EU should face up to differences, manage them and respect each other. It is hoped that the European Commission will focus on the fundamental and long-term interests of the EU, proceed from the overall situation of China-EU relations, and play an active role in the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

President Xi Jinping Meets with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

Ursula von der Leyen said that China has a long history and profound culture, and exchanges and mutual learning between EU and Chinese civilizations have a positive impact on both sides and the world. The EU and China share a lot of consensus on global challenges such as climate change and political settlement of regional disputes. The two sides should work together to contribute to maintaining world peace and stability. The European side totally disagrees with "decoupling and breaking chains", and hopes to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with China, restart the three dialogue mechanisms as soon as possible, and carry out more mutually beneficial cooperation.

Regarding the Taiwan issue, Xi Jinping emphasized that the Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests. Anyone who makes a fuss about a China issue will never agree to it from the Chinese government and the Chinese people; anyone who expects China to compromise on the Taiwan issue is wishful thinking and will only shoot himself in the foot.

Von der Leyen reiterated that the EU has no intention of changing the long-standing one-China policy, recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legal government representing the whole of China, and hopes that the Taiwan Strait region will maintain peace and stability. Editor/He Yuting