China has asked France and Slovakia to play a constructive role in the relations between Beijing and the European Union (EU), arguing that trade differences are resolved through dialogue.
© Lusa
11/11/2026
by
Lusa
A China asked France and Slovakia to play a constructive role in the relations between Beijing and the European Union (EU) and called for trade differences to be resolved through dialogue.
During a telephone conversation with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, on Tuesday, the head of Chinese diplomacy, Wang Yi, said that relations between China and the EU are linked to the fundamental interests of both parties and argued that they evolve in a stable direction.
Wang assured that Beijing and Brussels “behave cooperation and suffer confrontation”, according to a statement released on Tuesday evening by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Minister also advocated strengthening political confidence between China and France, as well as greater coordination on multilateral issues, recalling the responsibility of the two countries as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
Barrot expressed, according to the Chinese statement, France's willingness to maintain high-level contacts, deepen bilateral cooperation and contribute to boosting dialogue between China and the EU.
On the same day, Wang met in Beijing with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, before whom he lamented that “the international situation is increasingly turbulent and economic globalisation faces difficulties”.
The head of Chinese diplomacy defended the resolution of divergences through “dialogue and consultation”, as well as the joint preservation of trade liberalisation and economic globalisation.
Wang also expressed the wish that Slovakia would continue to contribute constructively to the stability of relations between China and the EU.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Blanár said that the country “opposed to protectionism and trade wars” and also advocated dialogue to resolve the differences between Beijing and Brussels.
The contacts took place after the recent understanding reached between Beijing and Brussels on Chinese exports of hybrid vehicles, which both parties present as a breakthrough.
The agreement arises in the context of trade tensions related to excess industrial capacity denounced by Brussels, access to the Chinese market and European dependence on certain strategic supplies.
After the October European Council, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that it will present in December new tools to reduce dependence and strengthen the commercial response capacity of the European bloc.