Decision-makers from China and the EU came together online to exchange ideas and good practice on how the two powers can work together and address areas of common concern.

The fifth edition of the China-EU High-Level People-to-People Dialogue (HPPD) was held on Wednesday and covered six key areas: researcher mobility, education, culture, youth, sport and gender.

China's Vice Premier Sun Chunlan and EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel were among those leading the talks.

In a joint statement, both sides agreed to make use of the HPPD "to continue and enhance this cooperation in order to progress further towards a level playing field on which the exchange of ideas and mobility can take place."

The two sides used the opportunity to note the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for strengthening cooperation and support between the two.

The HPPD, which was launched in 2012, makes up the third pillar of China-EU relations, along with the High-Level Strategic Dialogue and the High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue.