Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded in this way to the EU’s announcement to hold urgent talks in Brussels on China’s rare earth export control measures.

The spokesperson recalled that the essence of economic and trade relations between China and Europe is complementarity and mutual benefit.

Guo also urged the European side to honor its commitment to free trade and oppose protectionism, in addition to ensuring a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from all countries.

He also underscored the importance of resolving trade disputes through dialogue and consultation, and jointly protecting the market economy system and WTO rules.

The EU and China have maintained, in last few months, high-level contacts on trade issues, including those related to electric vehicles and strategic raw materials.

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