China calls EU to reject practices of politicizing issues

China on Friday called on the European Union to reject practices of politicizing issues or over-stretching the concept of security, and work with China to remain two-way opening up instead of erecting walls and barriers.

A recent report published by the Jacques Delors Institute in France said that for the EU, leveraging China to realize its own development is a necessary choice.

The report called on the EU to be rational on "de-risking", uphold a more rational and pragmatic China policy.

"We hope the EU will listen to rational voices," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a daily news conference.

The report has reflected that people with insights in Europe are positive about the prospect of China-EU relations and this relationship enjoys a solid foundation in the people, he said.

"The risks that we need to get rid of the most is confrontation and rivalry caused by politicizing all issues, and the dependence that we need to lower the most is the act of resorting to protectionism," he said.

China and the EU are partners, not rivals, Wang reiterated, adding that China-EU cooperation should be a positive cycle of mutual accomplishment rather than a "knockout" or a "zero-sum game".

It is a misconception to selectively emphasize competing aspects between China and the EU, while deliberately overlooking cooperation and hype up "de-risking" with China and reducing dependence on China, he said.

This will not only reinforce misunderstanding and erode mutual trust but also goes against the EU's position of upholding free trade and World Trade Organization rules, which disrupts the growth of China-EU relations and serves no one's interests, Wang said.

He said he hopes the bloc will work with China to promote trade and investment liberalization, create a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory business environment for companies of both sides and advance sound and steady growth of China-EU relationship.