(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BEIJING, Oct 27 (KUNA) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday expressed hope that the European Union would provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises and play a constructive role in developing China-EU relations.
According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Li made the remarks during a meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa on the sidelines of the 28th ASEAN plus three Summit, involving China, Japan, and South Korea, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Li noted that China-EU relations currently face both opportunities and challenges, stressing the importance of maintaining the right course, strengthening mutual political trust, and implementing the consensus reached between both sides.
He affirmed China's willingness to address existing issues in economic and trade cooperation through dialogue, consultation, and mutual understanding based on equality and respect.
Li added that Beijing is ready to work with Europe to promote balanced trade growth, and explore new avenues of partnership in digitalization, technological innovation, and industrial and supply chains for mutual benefit.
For his part, Costa said the European Union is keen to maintain high-level exchanges with China, enhance dialogue and communication across various fields, and resolve concerns appropriately while intensifying practical cooperation.
He reaffirmed the EU's commitment to strengthen coordination with Beijing to uphold multilateralism and jointly address global challenges, including climate change.
In a statement posted on X following his meeting with the Chinese Premier, Costa stressed the need to make concrete progress to rebalance trade and economic relationship, urging the restoration of fluid, reliable and predictable supply chains.
The meeting came amid rising trade tensions between China and the EU, following Beijing's export controls on rare earth metals and the Dutch government's move to freeze USD two billion in assets of Chinese semiconductor firm Nexperia, alongside EU sanctions on major Chinese oil companies accused of "supporting Russia." (end)
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