By ZHOU JIN | chinadaily.com.cn 

China and the European Union should be characterized as partners with cooperation being the defining feature, autonomy being the key value and win-win outcomes being the future of the relationship, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Labeling China as a partner, competitor and systemic rival at the same time is neither consistent with reality nor viable, he said at a news conference, adding that it only causes distractions and creates obstacles for China-EU relations.

"It's like driving on a crossing and finding the red, yellow and green lights all on at the same time. How can you drive on?" he asked.

"We hope that China-EU relations will move ahead smoothly with green lights at every crossing," he said.

China and Europe do not have clashing fundamental interests, geopolitical or strategic conflicts, and common interests outweigh differences between the two sides, he said.

A strong Europe is in the long-term interests of China, while a strong China is also in the fundamental interests of the continent, Wang said.

China and Europe should work together to practice multilateralism, advocate openness and development, and facilitate a dialogue between civilizations, he said.