China's President Xi Jinping emphasized the growing rapprochement between Beijing and the European Union on global issues from climate change to trade, urging both sides to overcome "suspicions," AFP reported.

Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed their desire to work together.

"Of course there are differences and competition, but it's positive competition," Mr Xi noting during the joint press conference in Paris. "We are advancing together. We shouldn't let suspicions lead us to be constantly looking backwards."

AFP noted that Europe and China faced problems in connection with the policy of US President Donald Trump and his attacks on international agreements on global warming, trade or the nuclear program of Iran.

In a joint statement, the Chinese leader and Macron both committed to working together to promote a rules-based international order. “France and China consider that in the current context, committing to multilateralism is the best way of promoting international cooperation at a time when risks and common challenges are multiplying,” they said.

However, Merkel expressed caution about the possible achievements of the EU and China. “There can’t be multilateralism without the United States,” she said.

Although the leaders stressed numerous areas where China, France and the EU would work together, tensions remain in the relationship - the “suspicions”.

The European Commission called China a “systemic rival” and presented a 10-point plan proposing a more assertive relationship with Beijing, which Macron welcomed as a belated awakening.

Junker began his speech with the words "I am a friend of China."

But Merkel  also raised an acute issue of “reciprocity” in terms of trade and investments, meaning China should offer more opportunities to European firms in its domestic market and in Chinese-funded projects abroad.

Europe wants to get promises from China that its “One Belt, One Way” project will be implemented in partnership with the EU. The initiative is a “very important project” and “we, Europeans, want to play a role,” Merkel noted. “That must lead to reciprocity and we’re having a bit of trouble in finding it.”