China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Wednesday met with European Council President António Costa. Wang called for enhancing understanding and mutual trust, adding that the more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen unity and coordination, firmly serving as stabilizing forces in a turbulent world. 

China and the European Union (EU) are due to hold their 13th Strategic Dialogue on Wednesday in Brussels, according to an EU press release and local media reports. 

During his meeting with European Council President António Costa on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that at the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Costa, marking the start of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and EU.

Both sides agreed to uphold the partnership, pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, safeguard multilateralism and properly handle differences, setting the direction for China-EU relations, Wang said.

Wang said that China views Europe as a key pole in a multipolar world and maintains consistency and stability in its Europe policy. Regardless of Europe's circumstances, China firmly supports European integration and welcomes the EU's efforts to enhance strategic autonomy and play a greater role on the international stage. 

China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the EU, prepare for the next leaders' meeting, and open up new prospects and inject new momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang added.

Wang said that today's world is intertwined with changes and upheaval, with unilateralism and acts of bullying severely impacting the international order and rules. As two major powers and two major economies, China and Europe adhering to dialogue and cooperation prevents the formation of bloc confrontations; China and Europe choosing openness and mutual benefit ensures that the tide of economic globalization will not be reversed; China and Europe jointly practicing multilateralism keeps the world from descending into chaos. 

The more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen unity and coordination, firmly serving as stabilizing forces in a turbulent world. It is essential to truly respect each other's core interests, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and achieve mutual success to bring light to the world, Wang noted. 

Costa said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between EU and China, providing an important opportunity for further development of their relationship. Both Europe and China support multilateralism, and in a world with increasing uncertainties, both sides bear the responsibility to jointly send clear and strong signals on critical issues, injecting stability, confidence, and positive expectations into the world. 

While there are differences between Europe and China, the European side is willing to work with the Chinese side in a spirit of mutual respect, to transcend differences, enhance understanding, and join hands in addressing global challenges. Europe looks forward to concerted efforts from both sides to ensure the success of the next Europe-China leaders' summit. The EU will continue to firmly adhere to the One-China policy, Costa said. 

Wang is touring Europe from June 30 to July 6. He will make stops in Brussels at the EU headquarters before heading to Germany and France. Prior to the engagement with the bloc, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever met with Wang on Tuesday.

Marking the half a century of ties between China and the EU, Wang's visit, which includes not only the EU headquarters but also the bloc's two core member states, highlights that China-EU relations stand at a critical juncture. If both can properly manage existing issues, their relationship is poised to grow stronger and closer; failure to do so, however, risks triggering prolonged friction in areas such as trade and tariffs. At this pivotal moment, direct high-level engagement is particularly crucial, Zhao Junjie, senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

The last high-level strategic dialogue between China and the EU took place in 2023. This meeting marks the first round of communication on strategic security issues and the macro-level framework of China-EU relations since the transition of the European Commission. It is expected that the Chinese side will adopt a more direct and candid approach to express its commitment to safeguarding shared interests, Dong Yifan, an associate research fellow at the Belt and Road Academy of Beijing Language and Culture University, told the Global Times.

Shifting global dynamics, particularly the Trump administration's "America First" policy, which has strategically sidelined Europe, have given the EU greater room to pursue strategic autonomy, Zhao said.

Yet, the future trajectory of China-EU relations remains fraught with uncertainties, the expert noted. On one hand, US influence is still disrupting Europe's policy choices. On the other, the rise of far-right forces within Europe could introduce new variables. Against this backdrop, the current high-level dialogue represents an opportunity to steer relations toward a more stable path, Zhao noted.

Ties between China and the EU are still facing a number of complexities, and over the past few months, the European Commission has been wavering on just how tough its stance on Beijing should be - a wobbly position that has left businesses scratching their heads, Euractiv reported. 

The issue of rare earths has recently drawn widespread attention. The European side has complained that a decline in rare earth exports from China is affecting European businesses "very, very badly." During the G7 Summit in Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen even brandished a rare earth magnet, accusing China of "weaponizing" rare earths and calling on "like-minded partners" to join forces to counter the so-called "China shock."

Yet in May, the EU leader said the bloc is "willing to deepen its partnership with China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, jointly tackle common challenges and promote world peace, security, prosperity and sustainable development."

Dong noted that while Europe recognizes its need for China amid global turbulence, it fails to objectively understand China, attempting to leverage various tools to maximize its own economic benefits. It reflects the insufficient communication between the two sides, and the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding and trust.

The "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue: Seminar on Relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries, and the Mutual Perception of Public Opinion" were held in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, on Monday local time. Political, business, academic, think tank, and media circle representatives from China and Argentina gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges on deepening mutual understanding, strengthening the public support foundation, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations between China and LAC countries.

The Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue series is an exchange platform for implementing Chinese President Xi Jinping's cultural thought and promoting dialogue among media establishments and think tanks from Global South countries. The hosting of the event in Latin America this time was a proactive effort to practice the Global Civilization Initiative and promote the construction of a China-LAC community with a shared future.

The diversity of civilizations is the natural state of the world. As key members of the Global South, China and LAC countries share broad common interests and vast cooperation potential across numerous fields. At the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum held in May, President Xi profoundly stated, "Facts have shown that China and LAC countries are advancing hand in hand as a community with a shared future." He emphasized that China stands ready to join hands with LAC partners to launch five programs of solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people connectivity, charting the course for building a China-LAC community with a shared future in the new era.
During the seminar, more than 10 participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the survey on the mutual perception of public opinion. The discussions focused on three key topics: Mutual perceptions and public sentiment between China and Latin America, diverse drivers of positive China-LAC relations, and the role of media in shaping mutual perceptions.

The seminar, which was co-organized by the Global Times, CLACSO, and the Center for Chinese and Latin American Studies (CECLA), aimed to use media exchanges and think tank cooperation as a starting point to foster consensus through candid communication, continuously enhance people-to-people ties between China and Latin America, and cultivate strong public support for building a China-LAC community with a shared future.
Fan Zhengwei, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times:

Today, China and Latin America have entered a "fast track" of multi-channel and multi-level exchanges and cooperation in the humanistic sphere. The Global Times is committed to serving as a messenger for civilizational dialogue and mutual learning. This collaboration, which includes conducting a survey on the mutual perception of public opinion between China and Latin America and hosting the seminar, is a practical effort to build a bridge for scholars, the media, and societal figures from both regions to enhance exchanges and dialogue, provide intellectual support for advancing China-Latin America cooperation, and contribute to the future development of Global South countries.
Wang Wei, China's Ambassador to Argentina:

Mutual respect and trust align with public aspirations, with people on both sides increasingly viewing each other as good friends and partners who treat each other with respect and equality. Mutually beneficial cooperation resonates with public opinion, and the consensus on advancing together and achieving mutual success has become widely shared among the Chinese and Latin American public. Solidarity and collaboration meet public expectations, as the peoples of both regions jointly uphold world peace, stability, and a multilateral trading system, with a growing willingness to push for reforms in global governance.
Pablo Vommaro, General Director-elect of the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO):

We are convinced that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) can mean new cooperation opportunities to strengthen ties and promote exchanges based on mutual learning. For LAC countries, we have much to learn from China's experiences, such as in development and poverty alleviation, but we also know that China can learn from the experiences and the cultural, social, and natural diversities of the LAC.
Jorge Taiana, General Director of Centro Internacional de Estudios Políticos (CIEP):

In the international and multilateral arena, there exists a significant number of institutions facilitating cooperation between the LAC and China. Initiatives launched by China, such as the BRI in 2013, are crucial for understanding specific cooperation between China and LAC countries. These efforts, among many others aimed at enhancing development quality, have laid the groundwork that fosters deeper collaboration.
Gabriel Merino, Coordinator of the working group "China and the map of world power" at the CLACSO:

The LAC region has a historic opportunity to emerge as an autonomous actor in this increasingly multipolar and transitioning world, moving beyond its former role as the "backyard."

The perceptions and opinions of Chinese and Latin American people reflect a growing closeness despite obstacles, challenges, and external pressures, forming a solid foundation to deepen development cooperation, reduce inequalities, and jointly work toward a more just, democratic, and equitable new world order.
Patricio Conejero Ortiz, Director of the Latin America-China Observatory (OLAC) at University of Buenos Aires:

Currently, young Argentine scholars show a higher interest in learning Chinese, with the main motivation stemming from positive expectations for future career development. Strengthening Chinese language training and optimizing the construction of academic exchange platforms between China and Latin America will be key measures to promote the continuous deepening of bilateral understanding and cooperation.
Daniel Filmus, Director of the Ibero-American Center for Research in Science, Technology, and Innovation (CIICTI):

It is essential to review public and media discourses on current relations with China, overcoming the inherited stereotypes from the Eurocentric and North American perspectives that are still dominant in our region.

In the field of science and technology, we can contribute to generating new representations that align with the current consolidating bond and to energizing the understanding of Chinese culture from its central role in scientific and technological production.
Alejandra Conconi, Executive Director of the Argentine-Chinese Chamber of Production, Industry and Commerce:

In a global learning process, thousands of executives and technicians leave China for the first time each year and arrive in Latin America, while thousands of Latin Americans begin to engage with a society that still feels distant to them.

In the business sphere, we work to build concrete bridges that improve communication and understanding, convinced that all forms of trade and cooperation are processes that lead to peace and friendship among nations.
María del Carmen Alarcón, Coordinator of the Sovereign Foreign Policy Commission at the PATRIA Institute:

The BRI, launched by China, is a model project capable of promoting inclusive growth, especially for countries of the Global South. We have been going through turbulence, but we continue to work toward discussing and solidifying the construction of a multipolar, fair, and orderly world. China plays a very important role in this process, as it provides a factor of certainty amid the change.

Nicolas Schonfeld, Executive Director of Televisión América Latina (TAL):

Public media - beyond merely amplifying official narratives - are called upon to weave meaning, to link diverse perspectives that, while preserving their identity, can recognize each other through exchange. They are tasked with building new forms of empathy.What we propose is to create conditions for Chinese and Latin American narratives to meet, engage in dialogue, and mutually transform.
Néstor Restivo, Founder and Journalistic Director of DangDai Magazine:

The world is undergoing a transition in the global power system. China and Latin America, as part of the Global South, are participating in the construction of what is to come. The democratization of communication - exposing those who feign press freedom to uphold an unjust and unequal order - will be an essential task, just as vital as laying new foundations for an information and communication system that serves the people, their liberation, and their happiness.

China and Ecuador signed a cooperation plan on promoting the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing on Friday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Ecuadorian counterpart Daniel Noboa witnessed the signing of the inter-governmental document after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People.