China ready to work with EU to uphold free trade, multilateralism, foreign minister says

China is ready to work with the European Union to uphold free trade, practice multilateralism, and promote an equal and orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalisation, its foreign minister said during a visit to Spain.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China regards the EU as "an important force in the multi-polar pattern" and supports European integration, and the development and growth of the EU as well as realising strategic autonomy, according to a foreign ministry statement on Tuesday.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with the Spanish prime minister in Madrid on Monday. He also met his Spanish counterpart and Spain's King Felipe VI.