On July 2, 2025, local time, Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held the 13th round of high-level strategic dialogue between China and Europe with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Carla. (Photo source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
At the invitation of Carla, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, German Foreign Minister Wadmuller, and French Foreign Minister Barrot, Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, embarked on a seven-day visit to Europe from June 30 to July 6.
During his trip, Wang Yi visited three countries in seven days, covering Belgium, Germany, and France. During this period, he held 13 meetings and other events of various sizes, making this visit to Europe both compact and enriching.
On July 1st, local time, Belgium’s Prime Minister De Wever met with Wang Yi;
On July 2nd, local time, European Council President Castañeda met with Wang Yi;
On July 2nd, local time, EU Commission President Von der Leyen met with Wang Yi;
On July 2nd, local time, Wang Yi held talks with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prévot;
On July 2nd, local time, Wang Yi held the thirteenth round of high-level strategic dialogue between China and Europe with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Cardarelli;
On July 3rd, local time, Wang Yi met with German Foreign Minister Wadmuller in Berlin and answered questions on site;
On July 3rd, local time, Wang Yi held the eighth round of diplomatic and security strategy dialogue between China and Germany with German Foreign Minister Wadmuller in Berlin;
On July 4th, local time, German Chancellor Merkel met with Wang Yi in Berlin;
On July 4th, local time, Wang Yi met with German Foreign Minister Barow in Berlin;
On July 4th, local time, Wang Yi co-chaired the seventh meeting of the China-France High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism in Paris with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barnier;
On July 4th, local time, French President Macron met with Wang Yi;
On July 4th, local time, Wang Yi held talks with French Foreign Minister Barow;
On July 4th, local time, Wang Yi met with French Foreign Minister Barow in Paris and answered questions on site.
From the itinerary, it is evident that the “point-to-area” visitation schedule emphasizes both the coordination role of EU institutions and the leading status of core countries such as Germany and France. Notably,
This visit to Europe by Wang Yi marks a critical juncture in the 50th anniversary of China-EU relations and comes just over two years after the restart of high-level strategic dialogues between China and Europe. It also represents the first round of communication since the EU Commission election regarding strategic security issues and the macro-top-level design of China-EU relations.
外交部发言人郭嘉昆指出，王毅外长此访“同欧方就中欧关系和重大国际和地区问题交换意见，总结中欧关系50年发展经验，增进理解互信，巩固伙伴定位，凝聚合作共识，妥处分歧差异，为下阶段中欧领导人交往做好政治准备”。
“稳”也是王毅此访期间反复提及的关键词。
在行程中，王毅给出“稳定之锚”的角色定位，强调中欧作为全球两大力量、市场与文明，应共同维护多边主义和自由贸易体制。
在谈及中欧建交50年重要启示时，王毅表示，
中欧关系的定位是伙伴，主流基调是合作，关键价值是自主，发展前景是共赢。
在同欧盟外交与安全政策高级代表卡拉斯举行第十三轮中欧高级别战略对话时，王毅指出，在和平与安全问题上，中国是当今世界纪录最好的大国。
中国不是美国，不应用美国走过的道路镜像中国。
此时，特朗普定下的90天关税豁免期，也就是7月9日，正在逼近。美方正在抓住最后的窗口期，尽可能逼迫更多国家与其签署贸易协议。
王毅外长此时在欧洲的一句“中国不是美国”含金量还在升高。
明确阐述中方立场，有力回击恶意炒作
针对乌克兰问题，尽管中方一直强调中立立场，但一直有声音在炒作所谓“中国助俄”论。王毅表示，中方的立场坦坦荡荡、一以贯之，那就是坚持劝和促谈。王毅还指出，中国不仅有效履行了国际责任，还同巴西等全球南方国家一道在联合国发起“和平之友”小组，为停火止战汇聚更大合力，中方的客观公正立场得到国际社会广泛认可。
当地时间2025年7月3日，中共中央政治局委员、外交部长王毅在同德国外长瓦德富尔共同会见时就乌克兰危机阐述中方立场。（图源：外交部）
针对伊朗核问题，王毅表示，伊朗核问题本可以成为对话协商解决国际纷争的范例，但如今却正在引发中东地区新一轮危机。世界虽然已听到和平的敲门声，但最终未能推开和平的大门。中方对此深感遗憾，其中教训需要深刻反思。王毅还指出，
美国悍然轰炸一个主权国家的核设施，更是开创了恶劣先例。如果仅由实力来判断对错，规则何在？公理何在？
王毅：稀土不会成为中欧之间的问题
面对欧洲对中国对稀土管制的担忧，王毅回答“稀土不会成为中欧之间的问题”，击碎了外界一些别有用心的炒作。
王毅在柏林同德国外长瓦德富尔共同会见并现场回答提问时指出：对军民两用物项实施必要管制是各国行使主权，也是应尽国际义务。中方的政策符合国际惯例，也有利于维护世界和平稳定。
稀土出口从来不是、也不应成为中欧之间的问题。
只要遵守出口管制规定并履行必要程序，欧洲企业的正常需求将得到保障。中方主管部门还为欧洲企业设立了“快速通道”，有人故意在中欧之间炒作此事是别有用心。
既强调合作，也划清红线
合作的前提是相互尊重，面对欧盟内部对华舆论压力，中方既释放了推动中欧关系稳定发展的信号，也通过反倾销措施划清合作红线。
The Ministry of Commerce announced on the 4th that it has finalized its anti-dumping investigation into imported white spirits from the European Union, imposing anti-dumping duties on such products starting from July 5, 2025. The ruling also mentioned that some EU companies would be exempt from these duties under a price commitment. Direct News noted that several French distillery enterprises are among those eligible for this exemption.
During a meeting with French Foreign Minister Barrot, Wang Yi expressed that through friendly consultations, China and Europe have effectively resolved the issue of white spirits. Under the current circumstances, strengthening strategic cooperation between China and Europe is timely. Both sides should establish objective, rational, and correct perceptions, adhere to mutual benefit and open cooperation, and promptly resolve specific economic and trade issues through consultation.
French President Macron and Foreign Minister Barrot praised this and emphasized their intention to continue discussing unresolved differences with China.
On July 4, local time, French President Macron met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (Photo source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Of course, China and Europe still face some trade frictions and challenges. Last week, the EU cited Article 16 of the International Procurement Tool (IPT) to restrict Chinese medical device companies from participating in the public procurement market in the EU. In response, China issued a notice today (July 6) to take measures against certain imported medical devices from the EU during government procurement activities.
Some commentators believe that Europe has been using China as a pawn to appease the “father” of the United States. However, unilateralism and protectionism cannot save Europe. As Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, “Now there are attempts to jeer at China-EU relations or expand specific issues into broader ones, generalize economic and trade issues into security concerns, or cling to biases against China without embracing the truth, which leads to a lack of clarity about the future direction. Not respecting the efforts of the past is tantamount to denying oneself.”