Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on  Thursday called on China and the European Union (EU) to pool wisdom and gain  consensus in the digital area so as to jointly address challenges and promote  the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Liu made the remarks during a  China-EU high-level dialogue in the digital area, co-chaired via video link by  Liu and European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager.

The two sides had substantial and  constructive discussion on issues including standards of communications  technology, AI and the safety of non-food products, and made preparations for  the China-Germany-EU leaders' meeting scheduled next Monday.

The digital technology and the  digital economy have had a profound impact on the economic and social  development, modes of production and life, as well as global governance, and  played an important role in the global fight against COVID-19, both sides  said.

It is of great importance that  China and the EU further enhance communication and exchanges in the digital area  against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the severely-hit global  economy, they agreed.

The two sides called on China and  the EU to grasp the opportunities and seek common ground while reserving  differences so as to promote the practical cooperation in the digital area.

It is China's basic state  policies to deepen reform and expand opening up, said Liu, who is also a member  of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

China will continue to create a  favorable market competition environment, enhance the protection of property and  intellectual property rights, and intensify international cooperation on  scientific innovation in the digital area, Liu said.

Hailing that the EU and China are  playing key roles in the digital area, Vestager said it is in line with both  sides' interests to strengthen digital cooperation.