1st Ld-Writethru: China calls for accelerated investment pact negotiations with EU

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) should speed up negotiations on a bilateral investment protection treaty, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.

"Global governance has emerged as a new dimension of China-EU cooperation. The two have a shared responsibility to safeguard the global free trade system," Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session.

China wants to partner with Europe to create a more stable world in what are uncertain times, according to the foreign minister.

"In spite of some disagreements, both sides have realized the need to put oneself in the other's shoes, be more open, tolerant and have more understanding of each other," Wang said.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. Earlier this year, both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May paid visits to China.

"We hope at the end of the year China-EU relations will be as strong as when we started it," Wang said.

He also stressed that China would always support European integration and had faith in Europe's future. Enditem