China plays down Brexit threat to EU, seeing ‘chances in challenges’
Foreign minister underlines Beijing’s commitment to ‘healthy globalisation’
Beijing has downplayed the possible fallout from Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying the challenges facing the continent are a chance to make the EU stronger.
Wang’s assessment on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress on Wednesday comes at a time of uncertainty in Europe.
Britain voted last year to leave the EU, and big European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands, will hold key elections this year amid resurgent populism.
“We believe the challenges confronting the EU could be an opportunity for it to mature,” Wang said.
“We are willing to work with Europe to revive the global economy, improve global governance and boost healthy development of economic globalisation.”
Wang repeated China’s support for multilateralism, adding that China valued the strategic importance and status of Europe.
