Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) shakes hands with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China and the European Union (EU) are both constructive forces for multilateralism, openness and cooperation, calling on both sides to provide more stability and certainty to the world.
Xi made the remarks during a meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
He underscored the need for China and the EU to strengthen communication, enhance trust and deepen cooperation in a more challenging and complex international situation to provide more stability and certainty for the world through steady and sound China-EU relations.
The meeting comes as the EU leaders visit Beijing for the 25th China-EU Summit, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.
“China and the EU, both big guys in the international community, should keep their bilateral relationship growing in the right direction, and work together to usher it into an even brighter next 50 years,” Xi told the EU leaders.
Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Xi said China-EU relations have come to another “critical juncture” in history.
Over the past 50 years, China and the EU have achieved fruitful outcomes in exchanges and cooperation, delivering mutual success and worldwide benefits, he said. An important understanding and insight is that the two sides should respect each other, seek commonality while reserving differences, uphold openness and cooperation, and pursue mutual benefit, said Xi.
These are also important principles and the right direction for China-EU relations in the future, he added.
Faced with accelerating global transformation not seen in a century and a changing and turbulent world, Chinese and EU leaders should once again demonstrate vision and leadership and make the right strategic choices that will meet people’s expectations and stand the scrutiny of history, said Xi.
Three proposals for China-EU relations
For the future development of China-EU relations, Xi made three proposals.
The first is to uphold mutual respect and strengthen partnership. He emphasized that despite differences in history, culture, systems and development stages, these should not hinder the development of bilateral relations. He stated that China is a peace-loving country, advocating for harmony, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win outcomes, and cannot be measured by the historical development experience of the West.
He also pointed out that current challenges the EU faces do not come from China. He said that there are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions between China and Europe, and the foundation of their relationship is based on cooperation outweighing competition, with consensus prevailing over differences.
Xi stated that China consistently views China-EU relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, seeing Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world. China supports European integration and the EU’s strategic autonomy, hoping Europe will respect China’s chosen path, system and core interests.
Xi’s second proposal is for China and Europe to uphold openness and cooperation, and properly manage differences. He said that boosting competitiveness should not rely on building walls or barriers, as decoupling and severing supply chains will only result in self-isolation, and that “reducing dependency” should not lead to a reduction in China-EU cooperation. He stressed that China-EU economic and trade relationship, which is complementary and mutually beneficial, can achieve dynamic balance through development.
Xi also noted that China’s high-quality development and opening up will provide new opportunities and potential for China-EU cooperation. He called on both sides to strengthen green and digital partnership, and boost mutual investment and cooperation.
It’s hoped that the EU can remain open in the trade and investment market, refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools, and foster a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the EU, Xi stressed.
The third proposal is to practice multilateralism and safeguard international rules and order. Xi stated that China and Europe should jointly uphold the international rules and order established after World War II and work together to create a more just and equitable global governance system. He called for cooperation on global challenges like climate change. He also expressed China’s commitment to resolving international disputes peacefully through political means, advocating for both dialogue and addressing the root causes.
Xi said that China is willing to coordinate with Europe to ensure the success of the UN Climate Change Conference this year and to make greater contributions to combating climate change and global green transformation. Furthermore, China is eager to collaborate with Europe in the field of artificial intelligence, advancing equal, orderly world multipolarity and inclusive economic globalization.
The European side emphasized the significance of Xi’s proposals for China-EU relations, noting that over the past 50 years, the scale and depth of cooperation between China and Europe have expanded, making them key partners in trade and cooperation. They praised China’s development achievements, recognizing it as a manufacturing and technology powerhouse that has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. Europe expressed confidence in and support for China’s further development.
The European side also emphasized that China-EU relations are of great importance to both sides and the world, and the EU is committed to deepening the relationship, constructively managing differences, and ensuring the continued success of cooperation on a balanced, equal and mutually beneficial basis. Furthermore, they said that the EU does not seek “decoupling” from China and welcomes Chinese investment in Europe.
In the face of a turbulent and uncertain world, the EU has stressed that China and Europe must shoulder responsibility together by upholding multilateralism, supporting the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, addressing global challenges such as climate change, and promoting regional peace and stability.
