In 1975, the earlier generations of Chinese and European leaders, with great foresight and a keen understanding of the prevailing trends, demonstrated remarkable political courage by rising above Cold War estrangement and deciding to establish diplomatic ties. Since its establishment, this relationship has navigated the changing international landscape and generally maintained steady development, bringing benefits to the two peoples and making important contributions to world peace, stability and development.
The year 2025 was an important year as it marked the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties, which witnessed new progress of this relationship in many fields. In July, President Xi Jinping met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during their joint visit to China. They had an in-depth exchange of views on the development of China-EU relations and reached important consensus, pointing out the direction and providing strategic guidance for growing the relationship under the new circumstances.
With joint efforts, the Chinese side and the European Parliament simultaneously lifted restrictions on two-way engagement and resumed inter-parliamentary exchanges. In October, the 42nd China-EU Inter-Parliamentary regular exchange was successfully held at the European Parliament. Resuming this regular exchange mechanism after seven years normalisedof China-EU inter-parliamentary exchanges and gave a new impulse into the sound and steady development of China-EU relations. China-EU economic and trade cooperation overcame difficulties and challenges, and maintained a steady growth momentum.
As we celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival, I wish the China-EU relations continued momentum and steady progress
According to Chinese statistics, in 2025, trade volume between China and the EU reached US$ 828.1 billion, up by 5.4% year on year, and Chinese companies’ direct investment in the EU grew by over 40% compared with the previous year. The two-way investment stock now exceeds US$ 280 billion. Amid rising instabilities and uncertainties in the world economic landscape, these hard-won achievements fully speak to the complementary and mutually-beneficial nature of China-EU economic and trade cooperation.
China and Europe are two major forces in building a multipolar world, two big markets that support globalisation, and two great civilisations that advocate diversity. In the midst of a changing and turbulent international environment, China-EU relations bear even more strategic significance and global influence. Standing at a new starting point of another 50 years of China-EU relations, China stands ready to work with the EU to actively follow through on the important consensus between our leaders and outcomes of their meetings, seize opportunities, address challenges, and advance the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.
First, we need to uphold mutual respect and reinforce partnership. In developing the China–EU relationship, the most valuable asset is mutual respect, and the most accurate characterisation is that of cooperation partners. On issues relating to China’s core interests and major concerns, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xizang, Xinjiang and human rights, the Chinese side hopes that the EU will take positions that respect China’s core interests and major concerns.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Bejing to participate to the 25th EU-China Summit.
Credit: European Union, 2025
Second, we need to deepen communication and exchanges and strengthen understanding and mutual trust. Exchanges between legislatures are an indispensable part of China-EU relations and an important channel to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
The Chinese side welcomes various political groups, committees and members of the European Parliament to visit China and is ready to send delegations to visit the European Parliament with a view to further consolidating and expanding the progress in exchanges and cooperation between our legislatures.
Third, we need to uphold openness and cooperation and properly handle differences and frictions. The year 2026 marks the beginning of China’s 15th Fiver-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. China will stay committed to promoting high-quality development and expanding high-standard opening-up, to share development opportunities with the EU and the rest of the world.
China and Europe are two major forces in building a multipolar world, two big markets that support globalization, and two great civilizations that advocate diversity
It is normal to encounter differences and frictions in economic and trade cooperation between China and the EU. The key is to properly handle them through dialogue and consultation, avoid politicising economic and trade matters, or overstretching the concept of security, and reject protectionism.
Fourth, we need to practice multilateralism and improve global governance. Multilateralism is the right way forward to safeguard the stability of the international order and promote human progress. The world must not return to the law of the jungle.
The Chinese side has put forth the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, providing China’s wisdom and solutions to tackle world changes and difficulties facing humanity. Multilateralism is the greatest unifying consensus between China and the EU. China stands ready to work with the EU to uphold the U.N.-centered international system and make the international order more just and equitable.
In the Chinese lunar calendar, this year is the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy and enterprise. As we celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival, I wish the China-EU relations continued momentum and steady progress!
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