BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping called on European Union leaders yesterday to eschew protectionism and create a healthier environment for Chinese businesses during the first EU-China summit since Xi’s government took power earlier this year.
Xi met President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso in Beijing yesterday, China’s foreign ministry said in a statement on its website.
Europe is China’s most important trading partner and for the EU, China is second only to the United States.
But the bilateral relationship has been weighed down by a series of trade rows ranging from steel and wine to solar panels.
“Both sides should expand trade and investment cooperation and promote the negotiations of investment agreements, oppose all forms of protectionism and promote the development of an open world economy,” Xi was quoted by the foreign ministry as telling Vam Rompuy and Barroso.
Reuters
