Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges EU to stay ‘independent’ in dealings with Beijing after US warning to Italy

Plea to not follow America’s example follows White House criticism of Italy’s plans to become the first G7 country to sign up for the Belt and Road Initiative

Wang urges Europe to maintain strong ties to Beijing in face of ‘interference and influence’ from outside

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China is worried that the EU will follow America’s lead in banning Huawei. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:04pm, 8 Mar 2019Updated: 10:27am, 9 Mar 2019

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Europe to stay “independent” in its dealings with China and called for strong ties in the face of increased US pressure.

Wang’s comments on Friday follow a backlash over reports that Italy was planning to sign up for Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative and a push for a more unified EU approach when dealing with China.

“We believe that as one of the major forces in the world, Europe will proceed from its own fundamental and long-term interests. [Europe] will surely maintain independence, stability and enthusiasm in its China's policy,” he told a press conference held during the annual legislative meeting in Beijing.

Though Wang did not mention the US directly in his comments on Europe, he alluded to China’s fears that the EU may align with the US on a range of issues from Huawei to trade.

“China-EU relations are subject to interference and influence from time to time. We hope to strengthen dialogue and communication with the EU, and to properly handle it,” said Wang.