Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and external relations on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

“We welcome our European friends to step out of the ‘attic’ of protectionism and step into the ‘gymnasium’ of the Chinese market, where they can strengthen themselves and enhance their competitiveness,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress. He answered questions from journalists from home and abroad on China’s foreign policy and external relations, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

According to the livestream of the press conference, Wang made the remarks when responding to a question raised by a reporter from Spanish news agency Agencia EFE. The reporter noted that the return of US President Donald Trump has forced Europe to reassess its previously negative stance toward China. In recent months, several European leaders have visited China. The reporter asked what positive steps China believes the European side has taken in improving relations with China, which actions may have been mistaken, and whether China views the successive visits by European leaders as a sign of Europe strengthening its strategic autonomy.

Wang noted that since last year, relations between China and European countries have gradually warmed. Bilateral trade has exceeded $1 trillion, more than 2 million European tourists have traveled to China visa-free, and European leaders have visited China one after another. Exchanges between China and Europe have grown increasingly frequent, and the two sides have also reached a number of new cooperation agreements. “These facts show that the stability of China-Europe relations stems from shared interests, while their certainty comes from mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation,” Wang said.

Wang continued that China’s position on developing China-Europe relations is clear. China has always viewed Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world, a key force for maintaining the stability of the international order, and a crucial partner in advancing Chinese modernization.
For China-Europe relations to move forward steadily and soundly, the key is for Europe to form a correct understanding of China, the Chinese Foreign Minister said. “We have noted that more and more insightful people in Europe recognize that China is not a competitor but a global partner. In particular, the younger generation tends to view China in a more objective and positive light.”

Wang said the essence of China-Europe economic and trade relations lies in complementary advantages, which can achieve a dynamic balance in the course of development. The facts of China-Europe cooperation show that interdependence is not a risk, the convergence of interests is not a threat, open cooperation will not undermine economic security, and building walls and barriers will only isolate oneself.

“We welcome our European friends to step out of the ‘attic’ of protectionism and step into the ‘gymnasium’ of the Chinese market, where they can build strength and enhance their competitiveness,” Wang said.

Global Times