Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini at the eighth China-EU High Level Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, Belgium, on June 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

BRUSSELS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Top diplomats of China and the European Union(EU) on Friday pledged to deepen strategic cooperation and safeguard multilateralism.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini co-chaired the eighth round of the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue in Brussels.

Reviewing the development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership established 15 years ago, Wang hailed a favorable situation featuring all-dimensional exchanges and cooperation covering various fields.

Noting that unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise in the international landscape, Wang said China and the EU, as two stable forces, should strengthen strategic communication, promote mutual strategic trust, and deepen strategic cooperation.

The two sides should jointly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard multilateralism and global free trade regime, he said, adding that both sides should make due contributions to tackle global challenges.

On economic cooperation, Wang said China is willing to promote mutual investment, and jointly construct the Belt and Road Initiative with the EU.

Mogherini, for her part, was on the same page with Wang on the importance of China-EU relationship.

She stressed that the EU is willing to work with China to uphold and strengthen the multilateral system with the United Nations at the core, and the rules-based international order.

Mogherini said the EU-China cooperation in various fields has reached unprecedented high levels after 15 years of development, with the two sides having similar positions and close coordination over a series of major international issues.

Mogherini highlighted the need to create synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EU's investment plan and strategy on connecting Europe and Asia.

"We agreed to explore complementarities and synergies in this field, that is crucial for both China and the EU," said Mogherini at a joint press conference with Wang following the strategic dialogue.

The strategic dialogue took place as the two sides are gearing up for the 20th China-EU summit slated for next month.

China stands ready to join hands with the EU to achieve results at the upcoming summit, thus sending out a positive signal of upholding and strengthening international order, said Wang.

Echoing Wang, Mogherini said the two sides have addressed a wide range of issues that lay the groundwork for the summit.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional hot-spot issues, including Iran nuclear deal, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, among others.