New diplomat appointed to promote ties with Europe
November 5, 2019 Category China News Round-up, Weekly
China has appointed veteran diplomat Wu Hongbo as its first Special Representative of European affairs to promote ties and cooperation with Europe. Wu, born in 1952, was the United Nations Under Secretary General from 2012 to 2017, and served in a number of diplomatic posts in the Chinese government, including as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the Philippines and Germany. Wu is familiar with European affairs, and will assist the Foreign Ministry in dealing with them, Spokesman Geng Shuang said at a news conference. The Special Representative will also work to promote high-level exchanges between China and Europe and “make unremitting efforts” to deepen bilateral ties, Geng added.
As important powers in the world, China and Europe have cooperated in many levels and areas, Geng said, and they share broad common interests in maintaining multilateralism and free trade, and building an open world economy. The establishment of the new post will help strengthen communication, coordination and cooperation, deepen mutual trust and promote innovation together, Geng said.
Trade between China and the European Union hit a record high of more than USD682 billion in 2018, and the EU has been China’s largest trading partner for 15 years, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), as reported by the China Daily.
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