ISTANBUL

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that Beijing and the EU should serve as the world's "anchors of stability" and become reliable, strong, and mutually beneficial partners.

Wang's remarks come ahead of his meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa and strategic dialogue with the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Brussels on Wednesday.

Wang Yi noted during his meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, according to an official statement from Beijing.

In the current international situation, China and the EU should embrace partnership and cooperation, Wang said.

Beijing and the EU should “strengthen communication, enhance understanding, build mutual trust, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system,” Wang said.

Although Europe and China have different views, Prime Minister De Wever said that in the face of the current complex geopolitics, the two sides should “strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual trust,” according to the statement.

He added that Belgium believes in “multilateralism,” supports Europe's “strengthening of autonomy,” and looks forward to positive results from the EU-China leaders' meeting.