Q: At the press conference following the meeting of the European Council on 21 October 2022, one European leader commented on the 20th CPC National Congress and China's policy, saying that China is continuing to reinforce the very assertive and self-reliant course, in an effort to establish its dominance in East Asia and its influence globally. It is also said that EU-China relations are getting tense and that the Chinese system is fundamentally different from that of the EU, and the EU is aware of the nature of rivalry between the two sides. It is then suggested that the EU needs to be vigilant when it comes to dependencies on China, and should come up with more tools as a strategic response. What is your comment? 

A: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held successfully. No individual and no force can block the CPC's grand blueprint of leading the Chinese people to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

We disagree with the deeply ideology-oriented remarks you just mentioned. Behind today’s complicated and turbulent international situation, one important reason is that there are still some people who cling on to bloc politics mindset, priding their own values as the absolute truth and wantonly imposing their ideology on others. The diversity of the world lies in the diversity of its civilizations. It has always been China’s position to advocate dialogue, mutual understanding and tolerance among different civilizations. China, meanwhile, equally opposes and urges all to stay alert to the rising clamor for ideological confrontation, which might lead to clashes or even confrontations among civilizations. Instead of scapegoating others for their own malaise, one should always take a good reflection on itself in the first place.

I would urge some people from the European side to have a thorough reading of the report of the 20th CPC National Congress, from which one might get a better understanding of China’s foreign policy. China has always been and will firmly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, and is committed to growing friendship and cooperation in all fields with other countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. In building a community with a shared future for mankind, China will unwaveringly follow a win-win strategy of opening up, and actively participate in the reform and the building of the global governance system.

Faced with multiple challenges such as military conflicts, economic slowdown and energy crisis, it is all the more necessary for all countries to work together. We always believe that China and the EU are partners rather than rivals, and that China-EU cooperation far outweighs our competition. Cooperation is the only way that can benefit us both, while conservatism and regression are a road that leads nowhere. We hope that the European side will establish a clearer understanding of the current situation, comprehensively and accurately interpret the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, approach China-Europe relations in an objective manner, and walk with us in the same direction. By upholding the principle of mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences, we can promote the sound and stable development of China-Europe relations, and inject more stability and positive energy into this turbulent and fast-changing world.