Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that China and Europe should maintain respect for each other’s internal affairs and core concerns, calling on the European Union not to meddle in their basic interests.
«It is essential to respect each other’s core concerns and interests, especially sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs, so as to jointly preserve the political foundation of China-EU relations,» Xi said during a meeting in Beijing with European Council President Charles Michel.
«China and Europe differ in history, culture, level of development and ideology. It is natural for the two sides to have different views on some issues. They should maintain communication and coordination in a constructive manner,» the Chinese leader continued, stressing that the European Union should not enter into their affairs.
Xi’s remarks come months after the European Union sanctioned some Chinese officials following the publication of a UN report highlighting human rights violations in the Uyghur-majority Xinjiang region.
Also, in recent months, Brussels has defended Taiwan’s independence, despite China’s claim to the island as part of its territory.
