German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas speaks to the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels,  Feb 22, 2021. (YVES HERMAN / POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

The European Union needs to engage with China despite many differences instead of opting for a more isolationist approach, Germany said on Wednesday.

"In the EU, we have been describing China as a partner, competitor and systemic rival at the same time," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said ahead of a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

"In all these three dimensions we need strong, sustainable communication channels with Beijing. Decoupling is the wrong way to go."

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