(Updates with context, details, quotes)
BEIJING, Dec 1 (Reuters) – China will strengthen strategic communication and coordination with the European Union, President Xi Jinping told the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, on Thursday.
In a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital, Xi told Michel he hoped “EU institutions and member states will establish an objective and correct perception of China”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
“China will remain open to European companies, and hopes the EU can eliminate interference to provide a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese companies,” Xi told Michel.
Neither Xi nor CCTV elaborated on what he meant by interference.
Xi said China and the EU should strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination and complementary advantages, jointly create new growth engines and ensure safety, stability, and reliability of industrial supply chains.
Michel, who is on a one-day visit to China, will also meet Premier Li Keqiang and Li Zhanshu, the chairman of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress.
His visit comes after European leaders expressed concern at a meeting in October about economic reliance on China. (Reporting by Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
