China, EU to usher in frequent high-level mutual visits soon, says Chinese envoy

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel may visit China in the first half of 2023 with the relevant preparations already underway. China and the EU are expected to usher in frequent high-level mutual visits, the Chinese envoy to the EU revealed recently.

Ambassador Fu Cong, head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview that he is optimistic about the recovery of China-EU relations. Although there are still some problems facing China-EU relations, China does not fully agree with some of the EU's position on the Ukraine issue, but it does not want the issue to affect the development of China-EU relations.

At the invitation of the governments of France, Italy, Hungary and Russia, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, visited France, Italy, Hungary and Russia from February 14 to 22.

Wang also attended the 59th Munich Security Conference and delivered a speech at its China session to communicate the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. The visit was on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and attracted huge attention from the global community.

"The nine-day visit is aimed at sending a signal of peace. Visiting both Europe and Russia is also conveying the message about China promoting peace talks," Fu said, noting that China is very concerned about the escalating situation.

The visit also aims to release another important message that China-EU relations should not be affected by the Ukraine issue, Fu said. Europe's misplaced emotion toward China on the Ukraine issue is irrational, as China has independent foreign policy and cannot fully agree with some of the EU's positions on the Ukraine issue, the Chinese diplomat said. "But China does not want the Ukraine issue to affect the development of China-EU relations."

Fu suggested that the EU should avoid being too emotional in dealing with the Ukraine issue. "People can have wishes, but they must face reality. Otherwise, this war will be protracted."

Despite some problems, Fu said he is "very optimistic" about the recovery of China-EU relations. The general trend of China-EU ties developing in a positive direction is very obvious, Fu said.

In the first half of 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel are expected to visit China, and the two sides have started relevant preparations. Some high-level consultation mechanisms at the vice-premier level between China and the EU will resume soon, and the two sides are expected to usher in "very frequent high-level mutual visits" soon.