The normalisation of ties was first confirmed by both the European Parliament and Beijing earlier this year. Wednesday's remarks also came ahead of a China-EU leaders' summit slated for later this month when the EU's Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa are expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.

Respecting the customs, beliefs and identities of others is not merely a gesture of goodwill; it is a prerequisite for peaceful coexistence in an interdependent world. The encouragement of cultural dialogue between societies grounded in mutual respect and equality is a moral and strategic necessity.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met face-to-face, a step toward a potential leaders’ summit.