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China-EU relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Chinese Premier Li Qiang urges EU to steer ties in ‘right direction’ amid trade discord

Also on Asean sidelines, Beijing’s No 2 official calls for deeper economic cooperation with Australia despite recent air encounter

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European Council President Antonio Costa (left) meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Zhao Ziwen
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday urged the European Union to steer their ties in the “right direction” and address trade discord through dialogue, as tensions simmer between Beijing and Brussels.

At a bilateral meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Li said Beijing was willing to work with the EU on matters ranging from the environment to technological innovation to supply chains.

“The development of China-EU relations currently presents both opportunities and challenges,” Li was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

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“Both sides should steer the relationship in the right direction, consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust and further translate shared consensus into concrete actions,” the Chinese premier continued.

“It is hoped that the European side will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises going to Europe,” he added.

The bilateral talks were held on the sidelines of meetings involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and days before China and the EU were to hold trade talks in Brussels focusing on Beijing’s rare earth export controls affecting the regional bloc.
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