China’s envoy to EU calls for more ‘in-depth exchanges’ on economic policies

Fu Cong made the remarks when he met Maarten Verway, who heads economic and financial affairs at the European Commission

The meeting came ahead of a joint visit to Beijing by Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen next week

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Ambassador Fu Cong said Beijing appreciated the EU’s opposition to decoupling. Photo: AP

Published: 8:30pm, 30 Mar 2023

China’s ambassador to the European Union has called for more cooperation, including “in-depth exchanges” on economic and financial policies, ahead of a visit to Beijing by two EU leaders next week.

Fu Cong made the remarks in a meeting with Maarten Verwey, director general for economic and financial affairs at the European Commission, on Wednesday, when the pair exchanged views on improving cooperation, according to a statement from China’s mission to the EU.

“We hope to conduct in-depth exchanges on economic, financial and fiscal policies, to strengthen multi-bilateral policy coordination and deepen cooperation,” said Fu, who has been Beijing’s envoy to Brussels since December.

Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the EU, meets Maarten Verwey, director general for economic and financial affairs at the European Commission, on Wednesday. Photo: Twitter / @FuCong17

He said China attached great importance to its relationship with the European Union, regarded the EU as a comprehensive strategic partner and looked forward to deeper cooperation with the bloc.

The meeting came ahead of a joint visit to Beijing by French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It follows a trip to China by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez this week, European Council President Charles Michel’s visit in December, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s in November.

“China appreciates the EU’s opposition towards ‘decoupling’ and hopes to work with the EU to actively implement the important consensus from the meetings between Chinese and EU leaders and relevant high-level dialogues,” Fu said, according to the statement. He also highlighted the importance of “injecting more impetus” into China-EU relations.

Decoupling – or separating two economies – is a term frequently used to describe China-US relations where there is growing distrust and antipathy, especially in areas like technology and education.