Li’s call came as the European bloc grows warier of the risks of engaging China, defined as its partner, competitor and “systemic rival” since 2019.

“Risk prevention does not preclude cooperation, interdependence should not be equated with insecurity,” Li told EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen yesterday, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

Li urged the bloc to provide a non-discriminatory environment for Chinese firms, adding that Beijing was willing to strengthen dialogue and co-operation in areas such clean energy and green finance, the ministry said in a statement today.

“China and the EU should further unite and co-operate, and use the stability of China-EU relations as a hedge against the uncertainty of the world situation,” it quoted Li as saying.

Li was attending the summit as a representative of President Xi Jinping, who did not attend.

In June, the EU adopted a strategy of “de-risking” to manage its dependence on the Asian giant, which is the world’s second largest economy.