Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian Photo: VCG

Asked to comment on the development of China-EU relations over the past 50 years and expectations for future development as Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said that over the past 50 years, China and the EU have formed a strong economic symbiotic relationship, and the annual trade volume has increased from $2.4 billion to $785.8 billion, an increase of more than 300 times. 

The two sides have also carried out fruitful multilateral coordination and cooperation in addressing climate change and other fields. Such cooperation has not only brought tangible benefits to nearly 2 billion people on both sides, but also made important contributions to maintaining world stability and prosperity, Lin noted.

As long as China and the EU choose dialogue and cooperation, there will be no camp confrontation; as long as China and the EU choose openness and win-win, the trend of economic globalization will not be fundamentally reversed; China and the EU will not only help each other succeed, but also illuminate the world, the spokesperson said. 

He added that at this milestone anniversary, China expects the EU to jointly adhere to the original aspirations of diplomatic ties, maintain partnership, enhance dialogue and cooperation, properly manage differences, promote the continuity of China-EU relations, and write more splendid chapters of successful cooperation.

Lin said that 2025 features many important bilateral agendas. China welcomes President of the European Council Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to come to China together at an appropriate time to hold a new China-EU leaders' summit. Both sides will also hold high-level dialogues in the strategic, economic and trade, green, and digital fields. Starting today, the two sides will hold four high-level receptions to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations, as well as a series of activities in the fields of economy, trade, culture, youth, sports, and academia, according to Lin. 

Lin said that the most valuable lesson from five decades of China-EU relations is mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences. Despite different histories, cultures, and systems, mutual respect for each other's development paths and social institutions chosen by our peoples enables both sides to achieve common progress, mutual benefit, and reciprocal success through open cooperation and mutual learning.

As the world undergoes profound transformations unseen in a century, with accelerating changes in the international landscape and unilateralism, protectionism, hegemony, and power politics severely impacting international rules and order, human society stands at another critical crossroads. While the world changes, the fundamental reality remains unchanged: China-EU cooperation far outweighs competition, consensus greatly exceeds differences, and opportunities vastly surpass risks, Lin said.

Global Times