BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday that the European Union should build trust and achieve mutual success with China as he met European diplomatic envoys in Beijing, according to state media Xinhua News.

According to Anadolu Agency, Wang emphasized that as "the two major constructive forces in the world," China and the EU should strengthen "mutual trust, handle differences properly, pool their strengths, and elevate the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new level." This statement comes in the wake of the EU's decision last Friday to exclude Chinese companies from participating in public procurement tenders for medical devices worth more than £5 million ($5.7 million).

Wang expressed hope that the EU would continue to support the One-China principle against Taiwan's independence claims. The Chinese foreign minister underscored that Beijing and the EU are not rivals, nor enemies, and urged both sides to maintain their partnership.

"There are no territorial disputes or geopolitical conflicts between China and the EU, let alone any fundamental clashes of interests," Wang stated. He also advocated for multilateralism and expressed Beijing's support for peace talks in disputes and a rejection of the use of force.

"China and the EU should follow the trend of the times, enhance understanding, build trust, achieve mutual success, and light up the world," he added.

Looking ahead, the EU and China are expected to hold a summit in Beijing in July. In a move towards improved relations, Beijing recently lifted sanctions on five EU lawmakers. Meanwhile, China-EU trade reached £739 billion in 2023, according to the European Commission.