Politician · person

Wang Yi on Ursula von der Leyen

Views partnership on EU ties (strong)

TL;DR

Wang Yi views the President of the European Commission as a partner for advancing China-EU relations toward mutual benefit and global stability.

Key Points

He met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on July 2, 2025, local time.
He expressed China's readiness to work with the EU to uphold the positioning as partners, deepening economic and trade cooperation and properly handling differences through consultation.
The official noted that the upcoming China-EU Summit is an important meeting to map out dialogue and cooperation for the next 50 years.

Summary

Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, views European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as a key counterpart for advancing the China-EU relationship, especially in the context of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025. He stresses the importance of strengthening communication and enhancing mutual trust between the two major forces to serve as anchors of global stability and certainty amid complex international landscapes. The Chinese official looks forward to working with her and the EU to summarize past experiences and map out a future direction for dialogue and cooperation for the next half-century, sending a clear, positive signal to the world.

During their meeting, he underscored China's consistent support for European integration and called for both sides to uphold multilateralism, free trade, and the peaceful resolution of international disputes, while properly handling their differences through consultation to achieve win-win outcomes. The focus remains on maintaining the positioning as partners, deepening economic and trade cooperation, and expanding two-way openness. The President of the European Commission echoed the sentiment regarding the anniversary and committed the EU to developing stable and constructive relations with China.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wang Yi's position on Ursula von der Leyen?

Wang Yi views the President of the European Commission as a crucial partner for managing China-EU relations, emphasizing the need for mutual trust and shared responsibility for global stability. He sees their interactions as vital for setting the course for the relationship, particularly around significant anniversaries.

Did Wang Yi meet with Ursula von der Leyen in 2025?

Yes, Wang Yi met with Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on July 2, 2025, local time. This meeting was held ahead of the China-EU Summit.

What did Wang Yi say about China-EU relations during his meeting with the Commission President?

Wang Yi stated that China and the EU must strengthen communication and act as forces of global stability as the international landscape becomes more complex. He stressed upholding multilateralism and free trade while managing differences to ensure mutual benefit.