Talks aim to resolve trade frictions with EU

China's commerce minister had a "candid and in-depth" video meeting with his European Union counterpart just days before the China-EU Summit in Beijing on Thursday, with analysts saying that it showcased the willingness of Beijing and Brussels to resolve lingering trade frictions through dialogue.

By moving closer together and staking out common ground, China and the EU could serve as a bulwark against rising unilateralism and protectionism that threaten to fracture the international community, they added.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic held the video call on Tuesday, engaging in "candid and in-depth" discussions on China-EU economic and trade cooperation and key issues of concern, Wang's ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.