Xi Jinping Calls European Council President And European Commission President: Ukraine Crisis Amid Protracted Pandemic Shakes Global Recovery

JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping called European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Layen late Friday to discuss the Ukraine crisis.

"The Ukraine crisis occurred in the midst of the protracted COVID-19 pandemic, which has destabilized global recovery efforts," Xi said as quoted by Antara, Friday, April 1.

Therefore, Xi invites the European Union to continue to communicate and play a positive role in maintaining global stability.

"China and the European Union are great powers, big markets, and have great civilizations," Xi said in a written statement received by ANTARA Beijing from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Xi Jinping also invited the European Union to build its own perception of China, take China's policies independently and enhance its cooperation with China.

In the afternoon, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also established telephone communication with the two European Union leaders.

Both expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, including handling COVID-19, economy and trade, and investment.

For the second year in a row, the value of the EU's trade with China is lower than that of ASEAN-China.