China, Europe are partners, not systemic rivals: Chinese FM

MUNICH, Germany -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday at the Munich Security Conference that China and Europe are partners, not opponents, and certainly not "systemic rivals".

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in response to questions on China-EU relations after delivering a speech at the "China in the World" session of the Munich Security Conference.

Half a century of engagement and daily trade exceeding $2 billion clearly show the depth of China-Europe partnership, said Wang, cautioning that exaggerating differences would harm China-Europe relations.

Acknowledging differences in social systems, values, and development paths, he stressed that differences are not a reason to be adversaries, and divergences are not a basis for confrontation. Mutual respect, appreciation, and learning should guide their efforts to realize common development and jointly illuminate the world, he said.

Citing ancient Chinese wisdom, Wang said that "all things grow together without harming each other; ways run in parallel without conflict," adding that "a gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity."

This means pursuing harmonious coexistence while recognizing differences, a principle known as the way of a gentleman, and China and Europe should both act in accordance with this principle, he said.

In today's complex and turbulent international environment, the two sides should join hands to uphold multilateralism, safeguard the authority of the United Nations, oppose unilateral bullying, and resist bloc confrontation, he said.

Wang called for joint efforts to implement President Xi Jinping's four global initiatives and build a fairer, more reasonable global governance system, which is a shared direction for China-Europe cooperation.