ISTANBUL

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday urged the EU to take “concrete actions” to advance bilateral cooperation, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Li made the remarks during his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New York.

Over the past 50 years since the establishment of China-EU ties, Li said, the bilateral relations have navigated the changing international currents and sustained “sound and steady growth” in general.

A key reason is that the two sides have always “kept sound communication, and actively sought ways to resolve differences on the basis of understanding and trust,” he added.

Li said Beijing hopes that the two sides will “enhance mutual trust, treat each other with sincerity, honor commitments, and uphold the principle of seeking common ground while shelving differences.”

He expressed hopes for the EU to uphold its commitment to maintaining uphold its commitment to maintaining open trade and investment markets, follow fair competition practices and WTO regulations, and refrain from “politicizing economic and trade issues” or “overstretching the concept of security.”

“I welcomed China’s willingness to contribute to global climate goals across all sectors, deliver on the Paris Agreement, and deepen our bilateral cooperation in low-carbon development,” the EU Commission president said on US social media company X after the meeting.

The two sides also discussed trade matters, Europe’s concerns regarding export controls, market access, and overcapacity, she said, adding: “I appreciate China’s willingness to engage with us in a spirit of mutual understanding.”