On the morning of the 24th, Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with European Council President Costa and European Commission President von der Leyen, who were in China to attend the 25th China-EU Leaders' Summit.
Xi Jinping pointed out that over the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, exchanges and cooperation have yielded fruitful results, benefiting both sides and the world at large. The important lessons and insights gained include mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, open cooperation, and mutual benefit—principles that should also guide the future development and direction of China-EU relations. He said that, in the face of accelerating global changes not seen in a century and an international situation marked by intertwined changes and disorder, China and EU leaders must once again demonstrate vision and responsibility, making correct strategic decisions that meet the people's expectations and stand the test of history.
Xi Jinping emphasized that both China and the EU are constructive forces advocating multilateralism and open cooperation. The more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and the EU need to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, and deepen cooperation, so as to provide greater stability and certainty for the world through stable and healthy China-EU relations.
Costa and von der Leyen visited China on Thursday, and in addition to meeting with Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang will also co-chair the China-EU Leaders' Summit with Costa and von der Leyen.
Prior to the meeting with Chinese leaders, von der Leyen said that the meeting between EU and Chinese leaders is an opportunity to advance and rebalance EU-China relations.
Before the meeting between China's national leaders and EU leaders, the Chinese state media outlet Xinhua News Agency published an English-language commentary emphasizing that China is an important partner for Europe.