Spokesperson's Remarks｜Beijing appreciates Borrell's remarks on Chinese system

Regarding the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell's remarks on Chinese system, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday at a regular press conference in Beijing that China commends High Representative Josep Borrell for his objective understanding of China's development and his positive remarks on China-EU relations.

Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/MFA PRC

It is reported that Josep Borrell recently said that the West needs to recognize the success of the Chinese system and that the different European and Chinese political systems and the differences in many issues "should not push us into a systematic confrontation", and the two sides must be partners. Borrell noted China's rise is a fact and "to oppose ourselves to the rise of China as a power is impossible."

Mao pointed out that China will stay committed to the development path it has chosen, which is a path completely different from that of traditional powers. China's development adds to the force for global peace, stability and progress. China's development is integral to the growth of developing countries as a whole and a just endeavor for better human development. On this particular front, China needs the world, and the world needs China.

Mao stressed that China attaches great importance to China-EU relations, and believes that in the context of China-EU relations, the two sides should be characterized rightly as partners, not rivals. Cooperation, rather than competition, should be the defining feature of the relationship, autonomy, rather than reliance, its key value, and win-win, rather than confrontation, its future. The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China recently held its third plenary session with a focus on further deepening reform across the board, building a high-standard socialist market economy, and improving the institutions and mechanisms for high-standard opening up. This will provide more opportunities for Europe's prosperity and China-EU cooperation. China is ready to be the EU's key partner in economic and trade cooperation, priority partner in scientific and technological cooperation, and reliable partner in industrial and supply chain cooperation. The EU is welcome to share the opportunities provided by China's mega-sized market and take an active part in China's high-standard and institutional opening up.

"Next year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. China stands ready to work with the EU to remain each other's partners, deepen strategic communication, carry out dialogue and cooperation, properly settle differences and frictions, in particular deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges—we expect to find people who will follow Marco Polo's steps in the new era, and make sure the China-EU relations will become more stable and constructive, deliver more mutual benefit and contribute more globally. By working together, China and the EU can and will contribute more to the wellbeing of the two peoples and a stable and prosperous world." Mao said. (By Ma Ziqian/China Youth Daily)

来源：中国青年报客户端