On July 8, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a video meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles.

Wang Yi said, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which is a grand gala for the whole Party and all the Chinese people, because the CPC always stands, empathizes and works with the people, upholds a people-centered philosophy, and acts for the purpose of serving the people. This is true democracy and accounts for why the Party maintains vitality.

Noting that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners and two independent forces in today's world, Wang Yi said, we have the responsibility to maintain the leading trend in China-EU dialogue and cooperation, are duty-bound to adhere to the keynote of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and are confident to jointly contribute to addressing global challenges. There are neither major conflicts of interest nor geopolitical problems between China and the EU. Both sides should adhere to the only proper positioning that we are comprehensive strategic partners, and the overriding principle governing our exchanges is mutual respect, and seeking common ground while shelving differences. The two sides should develop a correct mutual understanding, get rid of interference from all sides, and move forward China-EU relations on the right track in a sound and stable manner. China supports the EU in gaining greater strategic independence so that it truly develops relations and cooperation with China on an independent basis.

Wang Yi said, the two sides should bring the leading role of the China-EU high-level exchange mechanism into play, release positive signals, build up the confidence of all sectors in China-EU relations, and promote fruitful cooperation in key areas. There is a pressing need to strengthen communication and coordination on vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, and COVID response, with a focus on providing more substantial support for developing countries. In the meanwhile, the two sides should push the China-EU green and digital partnerships to go deeper and firmer. China and the EU should continue to support each other in organizing the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming, the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, and the World Conservation Congress in Marseille, for positive interactions and synergies between the two sides.

In response to the so-called "rules-based international order", Wang Yi stressed that rules are not "family rules" or "bloc rules" imposed on others, but should be jointly formulated by the international community. All countries should jointly safeguard the international system centered on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and jointly uphold the international order based on international law.

Wang Yi elaborated on the principled stance of China on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and human rights, stressing China's unwavering will and resolve to protect national sovereignty and dignity, and its opposition to sanctimonious preaching from those who feel they have the right to lecture us.

Fontelles introduced the EU's stance and views on EU-China relations and related issues. He said, China's rapid development is an objective fact and conforms to the historical trend. The EU has no intention to engage in institutional confrontation, disagrees with the "new cold war" and small circles, and has no intention to trap EU-China relations into instability. EU-China cooperation is fundamental and strategic. It is not an option, but a must. We should manage our differences instead of letting them hinder exchanges and cooperation. The EU and China should develop strong and sincere relations, which serves the interests of both sides. The EU side is willing to restart contact and dialogue with China, and step up cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, climate change, and biodiversity conservation. The entry into force of the EU-China investment agreement is in the interest of both sides, and thus common endeavors from the two sides to this end are expected. The EU believes that international rules refer to the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the rules formulated under the multilateral framework of the UN, and disapproves the imposing of unilateral sanctions or own will on other countries based on a country's domestic law. The EU follows its own values, but it respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and does not support the "independence" of Hong Kong.

Both sides hold the view that the video meeting was timely and helpful. The frank exchange of views was conducive to enhancing trust and dispelling misgivings. The two sides agreed to continue uninterrupted strategic communication.