Former president of European Council advocates for sensible dialogues and respect for Chinese philosophy

Video Player is loading.

Current TimeÂ 0:00

DurationÂ -:-

Loaded: 0%

Stream TypeÂ LIVE

Remaining TimeÂ 0:00

China

Former president of European Council advocates for sensible dialogues and respect for Chinese philosophy

2025-02-01 01:26 Last Updated At：19:57

Former president of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy has expressed his deep respect for Chinese philosophy and a keen interest in engaging in sensible dialogues with the Chinese side.

Van Rompuy, who served as the prime minister of Belgium from 2008 to 2009 and president of the European Council from 2009 to 2014, said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) that he is a great admirer of Chinese philosophy, and is very much in favor of frank, honest and sensible exchanges and dialogues with China based on respect for the county's glorious history.

"Of course, China is a great country in many ways. I came to China as President of the European Council. Now I am here not for a political mission, but to talk about culture and the great dialogue between the East and the West. I am a great admirer of Chinese philosophy. A few years ago, I took a course on Chinese philosophy at the university where I used to study. I don't know if many politicians would do this, but I want to say that I have great respect for Chinese culture and civilization. So when I came here again, I found that state again, that familiar state of mind," he said.

"Of course, we all have our own ideas about what society should be like and what the dialogue within society should be like, but I am not here to give you a lecture. In general, I am a person who is very much in favor of exchanges and dialogues with China, especially frank, honest and sober dialogues. All of this is based on respect for China's glorious history. We ourselves have a thousand-year-old civilization. In this respect, China and the EU are similar," he said.

Zelensky pursued justice rather than only deal on U.S. trip: Ukrainian analyst

2025-03-03 01:01 Last Updated At：03:17

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wasn't in Washington just to make a deal, but also to seek justice, said a Ukrainian analyst regarding the open clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelensky at the White House on Friday.

Zelensky was scheduled to sign a minerals deal with Trump before the meeting took a dramatic turn, leading to a rare shouting match between the two sides at the White House.

Following the televised confrontation, Zelensky was asked to leave the White House early, leaving the planned minerals deal unsigned.

During the fiery exchange, Trump claimed that Zelensky had no cards, while the Ukrainian president -- whose voice was barely audible over Trump's shouting -- was heard responding that he was not playing cards.

"I think the key card of Zelensky is the resistance of the Ukrainian people, and it's primarily because of this incredible resistance. And I think Zelensky was right that he didn't come (to Washington) to play the cards. It's not a question of making a deal just for the sake of the deal. I think Zelensky and Ukrainians seek justice," said Volodymyr Yermolenko, president of Pen Ukraine and a professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Kiev.

Regarding the defense summit in London on Sunday, which gathered European leaders, including Zelensky, to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, Yermolenko noted that Europe can no longer fully rely on the U.S. and that Ukraine plays a key role in Europe's security.

"The security of Europe depends on the security of Ukraine. Now, the situation is becoming much harsher because Europeans can no longer fully rely on American support, even military support. But technically, Europe is not ready, (its) military is not ready, and it should really act fast. And the Ukrainian army is the strongest army in Europe, and now the security of Europe also depends on Ukraine," he said.