CHINA is prioritising its diplomatic relations with Europe, says Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi underscoring Beijing's efforts to become less dependent on the US after the trade tensions, Reuters reports.
'We see Europe as an important cooperation partner and a priority on our diplomatic agenda,' said Wang Yi during a visit to Europe.
China has been ramping up its efforts to improve ties with the European Union and countries including Russia and Japan as trade and political relations with the United States have deteriorated.
China's foreign ministry also said Canada's attempt to link Sino-US trade matters with other issues was doomed to fail.
Geng Shuang, spokesman at the ministry, made the comment at a regular media briefing when asked about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's latest remarks on China-US trade talks.
Mr Trudeau said that the US Government should not finalise a trade deal with China unless the pact also secured the release of two Canadians detained by Beijing.
Mr Wang's comments on his trip to Europe, which included an Asia-Europe foreign ministers' meeting in Spain, came after Beijing and Washington agreed a preliminary trade deal. Speaking at a think tank in Brussels, Mr Wang said China was not an economic rival of the European Union and should not be treated as such.
WORLD SHIPPING
'We see Europe as an important cooperation partner and a priority on our diplomatic agenda,' said Wang Yi during a visit to Europe.
China has been ramping up its efforts to improve ties with the European Union and countries including Russia and Japan as trade and political relations with the United States have deteriorated.
China's foreign ministry also said Canada's attempt to link Sino-US trade matters with other issues was doomed to fail.
Geng Shuang, spokesman at the ministry, made the comment at a regular media briefing when asked about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's latest remarks on China-US trade talks.
Mr Trudeau said that the US Government should not finalise a trade deal with China unless the pact also secured the release of two Canadians detained by Beijing.
Mr Wang's comments on his trip to Europe, which included an Asia-Europe foreign ministers' meeting in Spain, came after Beijing and Washington agreed a preliminary trade deal. Speaking at a think tank in Brussels, Mr Wang said China was not an economic rival of the European Union and should not be treated as such.
WORLD SHIPPING