China-EU Photo: VCG
In the face of a global economy rife with uncertainties, there is growing interest in how China and the EU can effectively address their differences and enhance cooperation through constructive dialogue and pragmatic consultation.
France's foreign minister is set to visit China on March 27 and 28, Reuters reported, citing the head of cognac lobby group BNIC. Meanwhile, a Spanish government spokesperson announced that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will travel to China in April, according to Reuters.
These upcoming diplomatic interactions, which come at a critical juncture as the world edges closer to potential tariff wars and economic fragmentation, reflect Europe's willingness to ease trade tensions with China, which also provides an opportunity for both sides to conduct in-depth communication through channels like the high-level economic and trade dialogue between China and the EU.
There are different voices within the EU on its China policy these days. For instance, in an interview with the South China Morning Post, Norwegian Foreign Vice-minister Andreas Kravik highlighted China's strategic importance for both Norway and Europe amid transatlantic uncertainties, while stressing that Europe must avoid dependencies on either Beijing or Washington. In early February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested in a speech that the EU and China could deepen trade and investment ties.
However, deepening China-EU relations is by no means a short-term tactical move for both sides to cope with immediate pressures, but a strategic choice based on common interests and aimed at long-term development. This also explains why the European business community has consistently advocated for a rational and pragmatic approach, continuously calling for the proper handling of China-EU economic and trade issues.
Businesses clearly recognize that there are extensive and profound complementarities between China and the EU in many fields such as supply chains, the green transformation, and scientific and technological innovation.
Mutual benefit and win-win results have been the solid cornerstone for the stability and development of China-EU economic relations. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties. Over the past five decades, China and the EU have supported each other's development and collaborated on addressing many global challenges such as the international financial crisis, regional geopolitical conflicts and climate change.
Today, China and the EU are among each other's most important trading partners. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods reached $785.8 billion, according to Chinese customs data. Furthermore, their collaboration in clean energy has fostered a robust industrial ecosystem, offering significant potential for further growth. In terms of the formulation of digital economy rules, the two sides have reached a number of consensuses on issues such as cross-border data flows and artificial intelligence ethics.
The experience of China-EU cooperation shows that it is entirely possible for the two sides to reach a high-level cooperation framework in emerging fields such as electric vehicles, biomedicine and the circular economy. If anything, the higher degree of complementarity between China and the EU in many fields, the better it will be for both sides to withstand various risks.
However, challenges remain. Issues such as industrial subsidies, market access and technical standards continue to cause friction. These problems require dialogue and negotiation to resolve. In recent years, the EU has increasingly prioritized security over economic considerations in its China policy, with some politicians playing up the so-called "de-risking" strategy. Yet, these measures have not enhanced the EU's security or prosperity; instead, they have undermined the bloc's ability to adapt to changes and to pursue sustainable development.
From a rational perspective, cooperation rather than confrontation benefits both China and the EU, and the key lies in transforming this rationality into practical problem-solving. For instance, when meeting with Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group AG on Friday, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said that China and the EU are the backbone of the WTO, and properly addressing the EU's anti-subsidy case regarding Chinese EVs is of great significance to the current China-EU relationship.
In conclusion, China has always been committed to promoting the healthy development of China-EU economic relations, and believes that through sincere dialogue and mutual understanding, differences can be resolved. The upcoming visits by European leaders present a valuable opportunity for both sides to turn complementary advantages into real development impetus. It is hoped that both sides seize this chance, thereby propelling China-EU economic relations to new heights.
