On the evening of December 9, 2019, President Xi Jinping held telephone talks with President of the European Council Charles Michel at request.

Xi Jinping congratulated Charles Michel on his election and assuming the presidency of the European Council. Xi Jinping pointed out, both China and the European Union (EU) advocate multilateralism and free trade, firmly defend the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, and advocate that all countries should act according to the rules. Under the current circumstances, China and the EU need to strengthen communication, coordination and cooperation to ensure a stable development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, which not only serves the common interests of both sides, but also brings more stability, certainty and positive energy to the world. The Chinese side views its relations with the EU from a strategic height and with a long-term perspective. China and the EU are mutually beneficial partners of cooperation, rather than rivals in a zero-sum game. China's development is an opportunity, not a challenge for the EU, and China-EU relations boast broad prospects for development. The Chinese side's EU policy will maintain its continuity and stability, and China will as always support EU's development and its active and important role in the world. I believe that the new EU institutions will maintain continuous and forward-looking policies towards China, continue to develop relations with China in an active and constructive manner, and work with China to promote the positive and sound development of China-EU partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilization, so as to make China-EU cooperation fruitful.

Xi Jinping stressed, the Chinese side is willing to work with the EU to ensure the success of a series of important bilateral exchanges and agenda next year, and advance the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the EU Strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia. China is willing to work with the EU to remain committed to an early reaching of a bilateral investment agreement, a comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, in a bid to push the WTO reforms towards a correct direction that benefits all parties.

Charles Michel expressed, I completely agree with President Xi Jinping's views and suggestions on the development of EU-China relations. The EU and China share important consensus in safeguarding international rules, multilateralism and world peace and stability. Enhancing EU-China cooperation serves the common interests of both sides and the world at large. The EU and China will have a series of important high-level exchanges and priorities for cooperation next year. The EU side is ready to work with the Chinese side to ensure positive results of relevant events and cooperation, elevate the level of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and enhance communication and coordination in such aspects as the WTO reforms and addressing climate change. I am willing to maintain sound and close relations with President Xi Jinping to play a positive and constructive role in promoting EU-China cooperation.