Unlike AUKUS, The European Union And China Agree To Continue Working Together Despite Differences

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell with Foreign Minister Wang Yi . (Twitter/@JosepBorrellF)

JAKARTA - The European Union and China should continue to engage in some cooperation, despite differences, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a video call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, according to the regional organization.

"The High Representative noted that, while disagreements persist, the EU and China need to continue to engage intensively in a number of important areas," the EU said, adding Borrell underscored the inclusive and cooperative character of Europe's Indo-Pacific strategy.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said both sides should continue the trend of increasing engagement, in an effort to increase political trust and manage their differences, according to a statement on the ministry's website.

The European Union is taking a more lenient stance on China, one of its most important trading partners, than the United States, which has struck a new Indo-Pacific security deal with Britain and Australia (AUKUS) that is widely seen as designed to counter China's growing assertiveness in the Pacific. .

But critics say the agreement undermines US President Joe Biden's broader efforts to rally allies like France to that end after Australia scrapped a conventional submarine deal with Paris to buy US nuclear submarines, angering France.

In the latest effort to improve trans-Atlantic relations, Borrell, according to a spokesman, welcomed a joint statement by President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, in which they agreed to talk to rebuild trust after the submarine dispute.