China-EU investment pact mutually beneficial

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday reiterated its position on relations with the European Union (EU), noting that the China-EU Investment Agreement is a balanced, mutually beneficial and win-win deal and not a gift from one side to the other.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing saying that it is in the interests of both China and the EU to ratify the agreement at an early date and both sides should make active efforts in this regard.

China's sanctions against relevant personnel from the EU side for maliciously disseminating lies and disinformation involving Xinjiang and damaging China's sovereignty and interests were imperative to safeguarding China's own interests, as well as a legitimate and just response to the EU sanctions, Zhao said. "It is clear who acted first with unreasonable provocation and who responded in defense."

The spokesperson added that China has the right to develop its relations with Europe and will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.

Stressing that sanctions and confrontations will not help solve problems and dialogue and cooperation are the right approaches to forge ahead, Zhao said it is hoped that the European side will do some introspections, immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs, enhance mutual understanding, properly manage differences and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations through dialogue and communication.