On March 21, 2013, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Ashton said the EU attaches great importance to the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership. Lauding the great achievements China had made in its drive for economic development, she voiced willingness to work with China to deepen their practical cooperation and jointly meet challenges so as to make greater strides in developing their ties.

Wang said China and the EU are both important forces in safeguarding world peace and prosperity. He said this year marked the 10th anniversary of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. China is willing to work with the EU to boost high-level exchanges, find common points in their respective development strategies, map out cooperation in various areas and promote contact and coordination in international affairs so as to elevate the China-EU relations to a higher level, he said.