Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong at a regular press conference in Beijing Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

Responding to a media question for comment regarding reports claiming that the EU is reportedly refusing to hold an economic meeting with China due to a lack of progress on trade disputes, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson He Yadong said at Thursday's press conference that China and the EU are each other's major trading partners. China attaches great importance to China-EU economic and trade relations, and has maintained close communication with the EU at all levels to promote the sound and stable development of bilateral trade and investment cooperation, He said.

China has also worked to strengthen position coordination with the EU in multilateral arenas such as the WTO, and is committed to properly resolving trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, He said.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, the MOFCOM spokesperson said, noting that China will work with the EU to fully implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both sides, actively promote the upgrading of China-EU economic and trade cooperation, address each other's concerns, and jointly prepare economic and trade deliverables for high-level exchanges.

Global Times