ISTANBUL

China has warned that the EU's probe into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies could disrupt global automotive supply chains and goes against international trade norms.

The remarks by Foreign Minister Wang Yi came during a phone call with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto on Wednesday night.

“China adheres to the path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development, which is completely consistent with the EU's development direction,” a statement from China's Foreign Ministry quoted Wang as saying.

Beijing and Europe are not “rivals” but “partners,” the Chinese top diplomat asserted.

“It's hoped that Hungary will continue to push the EU to adopt a more active and open cooperation policy with China, work with China to practice true multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the UN as the core, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations,” he added.

For his part, Szijjarto expressed Hungary's firm stance against “decoupling” from China.

Hungary envisions a close collaboration between the EU and China and does not endorse any EU actions that might hinder fair competition and cooperation, he said.

“Europe and China will cooperate closely, and does not support any measures taken by the EU that are not conducive to fair competition and cooperation,” Szijjarto added.