Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and foreign relations via video link on the sidelines of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 24, 2020. (CAI YANG / XINHUA)

BEIJING - China and the European Union (EU) agreed to develop closer ties on a range of issues during their 10th round of high-level strategic dialogue Tuesday.

With cooperation and consensus always greater than competition and differences, China and EU are long-term, comprehensive, strategic partners, said Wang

The dialogue, which was held via video link, was co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

With cooperation and consensus always greater than competition and differences, China and EU are long-term, comprehensive, strategic partners, said Wang, noting that both sides should take the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a new starting point for developing closer ties.

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"We should jointly accelerate the resumption of work, maintain the stability of the supply chain and industrial chain, facilitate the exchange of experiences on public health and emergency management, make concerted efforts in research on vaccines and medicines, and boost cooperation with Africa in the fight against the pandemic," Wang said.

Emphasizing the importance of communication and coordination on macroeconomic policy, Wang called for openness in cooperation, and the completion of negotiations on bilateral investment agreements as scheduled.

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He expressed his hope that both sides would consolidate their consensus on safeguarding multilateralism and strengthen cooperation under multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations.

Wang also reiterated the Chinese government's principles and stance on Hong Kong affairs.

For Borrell's part, he said EU has high expectations for its relations with China and will make efforts to ensure closer ties. Both EU and China are firm supporters of multilateralism, he said, and EU welcomes China's active participation in international cooperation. The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of common concern.

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