Partners and opportunities rather than rivals and threats

Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visits to Austria, Slovenia and Poland from Friday to Tuesday once again send a clear message: China and Europe should be partners and opportunities for each other, not rivals or threats.

At a time when global challenges are multiplying, Wang's visits to the three European Union member states highlight China's readiness to deepen cooperation with not only individual European countries but also the EU as a whole.

The Chinese foreign minister's visits convey the consistency of China's policy toward the EU that is centered on mutual respect, dialogue, win-win cooperation and multilateralism.

In Austria, Wang and his hosts reaffirmed the friendly strategic partnership between China and Austria that has stood the test of time. The two countries are preparing to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, and China encourages Austria to seize the opportunities created by its vast market and green industrial transformation.

Austria's commitment to the one-China principle and its support for multilateralism further consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

In Slovenia, Wang reiterated that China respects all countries, large or small, and seeks equality in diplomacy. Over the past 30 years, China-Slovenia cooperation has yielded fruitful results. Now, both sides are ready to expand it into new fields, including high-end manufacturing, green energy, pharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence.

The Slovenian side, for its part, expressed appreciation for China's long-term vision and constructive role in the UN Security Council, calling China a responsible major country that sets an example by adhering to multilateralism. Both countries stressed that diplomacy should not be about confrontation but about partnership, a spirit that should be upheld in the China-EU relationship.

Poland, an important strategic partner of China and a major country in Eastern Europe within the EU, is positioned to play a constructive role in promoting China-EU relations as China and the EU commemorate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.

China and Poland should further strengthen their exchanges, expand practical cooperation, and work together to uphold the postwar international order.

As for the Ukraine crisis, China has consistently called for dialogue and peace talks, a position echoed by peace-loving countries around the world. It will continue to play a constructive role in efforts to help secure lasting peace in Europe.

Wang's visits once again demonstrate that China is not the source of Europe's problems, nor is it seeking to undermine Europe's interests. Instead, China has consistently voiced support for Europe's pursuit of strategic autonomy. China opposes any attempt by the EU to treat it as a bargaining chip in the bloc's negotiations with any other party.

It should be clear to both sides that China and Europe share far more common interests than differences. They both value peace, stability and sustainable development, and stand to gain from deeper cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, climate change, green transformation, scientific innovation and people-to-people exchanges.

The Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, which is anchored in sovereign equality, international law, multilateralism, people-centered development and practical action, offers constructive ideas that resonate with the international community and align with the purposes of the UN Charter. Under that framework, cooperation and coordination with China serve not only the EU's interests but also the broader cause of world peace and development.

What is required now is for the EU as a whole to maintain an objective and pragmatic perspective toward China, and resist the temptation to view China through the lens of rivalry or threat. Dialogue rather than confrontation is the right choice. The opportunity is there for Europe to grasp — provided the EU sees China as it truly is.