Li: China, EU should work together to protect multilateralism

China and the EU need to work hand in hand to protect the rules-based multilateralism and free trade system, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li made the remarks when meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker on Friday in Brussels, Belgium, on the sidelines of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting summit.

He said a steady development of China-EU relations is a common demand from both sides, and these ties also contribute to world peace and stability.

China holds firm to its resolve in deepening reform and furthering opening up, Li said, and will continue to offer level-playing field to investors from home and abroad.

China appreciates the improvement on the rules of the World Trade Organization, but such improvement should be done on the basis of the existing rules of the WTO, and should respect the organizations' core ideas such as free trade, Li told Junker.

Noting that both EU and China are indispensable global forces and attach strong responsibility in maintaining multilateralism, Junker said both sides should tackle problems through multilateral negotiations. He said the EU appreciates the important role that China plays in dealing with climate change and is willing to work with China to jointly promote the implementation of the UN Paris climate change.