Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday spoke at the "China Session" of the Munich Security Conference, addressing questions from the audience.

On China–Europe relations, Wang stressed that the two sides are partners, not adversaries, and certainly not so-called "systemic rivals". He cited more than half a century of engagement, robust trade exceeding $20?billion daily, surpassing total trade in the year before diplomatic ties, with hundreds of active cooperation mechanisms running. That China is labeled "systemic rivals" is a misconception, and continuing to hype up this narrative would harm the future of China–Europe relations.

Wang acknowledged that differences and divergences exist: social systems, values, and development models vary, shaped by each region's history and culture and reflecting the choices of their peoples. But differences are not a reason to be opponents, and divergences are not grounds for confrontation, he said. The proper approach, he added, is mutual respect, appreciation, and learning from each other to achieve shared development and illuminate the world together.

Wang quoted Confucius, saying "the gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity", a phrase he said reflects the right path: acknowledging differences while pursuing harmonious coexistence. He urged China and Europe to act as gentlemen in dealings with one another.

In today's turbulent international environment, China and Europe should join hands to uphold multilateralism, defend the United Nations' authority, oppose unilateral bullying, and resist bloc confrontation, he said.

Wang called for joint implementation of President Xi Jinping's four global initiatives to build a fairer and more reasonable system of global governance, a goal for China and Europe to pursue together.