Xi's upcoming visit to boost China-EU partnership: Chinese state councilor

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) and Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, attend a joint press conference after the ninth round of the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue in Brussels, Belgium, March 18, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

BRUSSELS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Europe is expected to further boost the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang made the remarks at a joint press conference with Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in Brussels.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xi will pay state visits to Italy, Monaco and France from March 21 to 26.

To choose Europe as the Chinese president's first overseas trip this year shows that China attaches great importance to Europe, Wang said.

Italy and France are important EU members, and the upcoming visit will be a moment of highlight in China-EU relations of the year, said Wang.

The visit sends a clear message that, regardless of changes in international circumstances, China always regards the EU as an important partner for strategic cooperation, and treats its ties with Europe as a diplomatic priority, he said.

He also said that China's respective relationships with France, Italy and Monaco have withstood the tests of transformations of international situations, and have stood out as examples of friendly cooperation between countries of different systems.

Wang noted that Xi's visit coincides with the 55th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations and the 100th anniversary of the work-study program in France, adding that next year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic ties and the 15th anniversary of comprehensive strategic partnership between Beijing and Rome.

The visit to Monaco will also be the first trip by a Chinese president to the country, said Wang, adding that it demonstrates China's long standing view that all countries are equal regardless of their size.

The three-country European visit will be "a journey to consolidate friendship, deepen cooperation and engage in strategic communication," added Wang.

Wang said the visit will promote stability and multilateralism in a fast changing world, adding that it will also help step up connectivity on the Eurasian continent and boost the sustainable growth of global economy.