Xi says EU, China 'advancing together' despite 'suspicions'

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and Europe were "advancing together" but that the two trading blocs needed to overcome "suspicions".

"Of course there are differences and competition, but it's positive competition," Xi told a press conference in Paris with the leaders of France, Germany and the European Commission.

"We are advancing together. We shouldn't let suspicions lead us to be constantly looking backwards."
"No one is naive but we respect China," Macron said, while adding that EU leaders "naturally expect our major partners to respect the unity of the European Union and the values that it has and carries in the world."
Referring to China's vast "New Silk Road" infrastructure project connecting the country with Europe, which has sparked unease in the EU, Merkel said: "We Europeans want to play a role."