Representatives from Europe and China convened on Monday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, for discussions on poverty, social inclusion, people-centered AI, and trade and investment at the 21st meeting of the EU-China Round Table.

Delegations from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and its Chinese counterpart, the China Economic and Social Council (CESC), were in attendance.

Wang Dongfeng, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and chairman of the CESC, implored China and Europe to remain committed to their partnership with openness and inclusiveness, and adhere to multilateralism in order to build a future founded on mutual respect, trust, shared benefits, and fairness. China is willing to work with Europe to leverage the China-Europe Roundtable mechanism for deeper cooperation in China-Europe relations.

The EU-China Civil Society Round Table was established in 2007 following the 9th EU-China Summit in Helsinki. Delegations from the EESC and the CESC meet regularly to discuss economic and social issues of common interest.