China on Wednesday urged the European Union to honor its commitment to free trade and resolve trade differences properly through dialogue and consultation. The call comes after European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said he would meet Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Brussels in the coming days to discuss China's rare earth export controls.

Speaking at a daily news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun emphasized that the essence of economic and trade relations between China and the EU is mutually complementary and beneficial.

He expressed hope that the EU will honor its commitment to free trade and opposition to protectionism, provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from all countries, uphold the market economy and World Trade Organization rules with concrete actions, and resolve trade differences properly through dialogue and consultation.