On the morning of April 6, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with visiting President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People.

Li Qiang said that China and the European Union (EU) are two major forces, two big markets and two great civilizations in the multi-polar world, and China-EU relations are of global influence and significance. China always views and develops its relations with the EU from a strategic and long-term perspective, supports the European integration and strategic autonomy, and supports the EU in playing an active role in international affairs. It is important for the two sides to stay committed to the comprehensive strategic partnership, uphold mutual respect and win-win cooperation, overcome disturbance and difficulties, focus on consensus and cooperation, promote the sound and steady growth of China-EU relations, and inject more confidence and impetus into world peace and prosperity.

Li Qiang pointed out that China and the EU share broad common interests, and bilateral cooperation enjoys strong resilience and great potential. China is firmly committed to deepening reform and opening up and promoting high-quality development, which will provide a broad space for the development of businesses from European and other countries. China is ready to work with the EU to take the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership as a new starting point, stick to the right direction of cooperation, comprehensively restart exchanges at all levels, make good preparations for the China-EU Summit, enhance political mutual trust and map out cooperation priorities, so as to create an even better 20 years of China-EU cooperation. The two sides should actively advance high-level cooperation, keep the global industrial and supply chains stable, jointly carry out the "Green Action Initiative" between China and the EU, enhance cooperation and alignment of standards and rules in such fields as the digital economy, communications technology and artificial intelligence. Both sides should adhere to mutual benefit and win-win results, keep trade and investment markets open, jointly oppose decoupling and severing supply chains, and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises from both sides. The two sides should adhere to true multilateralism, strengthen coordination and cooperation within the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks, and join hands to respond to climate change and other global challenges.

Ursula von der Leyen said that China is very important to the EU and the interests of the two sides are closely intertwined. The EU is ready to work with China to strengthen the EU-China high-level economic and trade dialogue, keep their markets open to each other, deepen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, food, healthcare, green development and intellectual property protection, and lead the international response to climate change and other global challenges.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest and concern.

Qin Gang, among others, attended the meeting.