Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday urged dialogue and cooperation with the EU, ahead of an upcoming EU leaders' summit in China on July 24-25. Wang Yi made the remarks during his meeting with Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Ian Borg in Beijing, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, Wang Yi expressed China's willingness to sustain 'high-level' bilateral trust, highlighting the traditional friendship between the two countries. He called for further 'mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, culture and tourism, science and education.' Emphasizing the key lesson from 50 years of China-EU relations, Wang stated that the two sides should be seen as 'partners rather than rivals,' advocating for 'dialogue and cooperation' as the foundation for their relationship.

Ian Borg, on his part, reiterated Malta's high regard for its relations with China, noting that differences should be resolved through 'dialogue and consultation.' The diplomatic ties between China and Malta date back to 1972, underscoring a long-standing relationship between the two nations.

In a related development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently remarked that the EU's approach to relations with China will focus on "de-risking" rather than "decoupling," signaling a strategic shift in how the EU plans to manage its interactions with China.