President Xi’s European Visit Signals New Era of China-EU Cooperation
Challenges in China-EU Relations
On the whole, China-EU relations are positive, and feature no fundamental conflict of interests. The two sides have established dialogue and negotiation mechanisms in over 60 fields. In 2013 China’s trade with the EU hit US $559.1 billion, and there have been impressive achievements in science and technology cooperation. It is clear that the China-EU bilateral relationship is one of the world’s most influential.
However, there are no absolutes in this world. China-EU relations are generally positive, but differences and even frictions still persist. For example, certain problems, such as Europe’s arms embargo on China set 25 years ago, and the EU’s restrictions on high-tech exports to China still remain unresolved. To the Chinese side these measures have always signaled political discrimination against China, which is incompatible with the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. Moreover, that the EU refuses to recognize China’s market-economy status, yet is willing to acknowledge that of many other countries whose marketization levels are much lower than China’s, is unjust. The EU has also at times interfered with China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty over such issues as Tibet and human rights. Such interference is clearly disadvantageous to the development of China-EU relations. China has always hoped that European countries might adopt measures as early as possible to remove such artificial barriers, in the interests of better development of China-EU relations.
President Xi Jinping hence mentioned and emphasized many times while meeting his European counterparts that nations should respect one another and properly handle issues of great concern that affect other countries’ core interests. He also proposed resolving any differences between China and the EU through dialogue and negotiation. In this regard, the Chinese people are happy to know that Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, told President Xi Jinping that Germany understands the many challenges a populous country such as China faces, and that the German side also understands that China cannot indiscriminately adopt the same criteria as Germany or Europe. Merkel’s words show civility and rationally express her perspective. A proper stance on promoting mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation should be both commended and implemented through practice.
Bright Future for China-EU Relations
It has been observed that the joint statement by China and the EU issued during President Xi’s visit to the EU headquarters defines Xi’s first visit to the EU as “a historic landmark in China-EU relations.” The success of Xi’s visit undoubtedly presages substantially deeper China-EU relations in the future.
This prediction has several bases. First, the two sides are determined to enhance bilateral cooperation on a global level while jointly dealing with regional and global challenges and expanding the common interests of China and the EU by safeguarding world peace and stability. Second, the two sides both acknowledge their international responsibility to boost the world economy and achieve common prosperity. Both sides have also reiterated their joint commitment to developing an open world economy while fighting against protectionism. Third, the two sides agree to enhance youth culture and education exchanges. Fourth, both China and the EU are at a critical stage of reform and development. China is striving to accomplish comprehensive deepening of reforms, while the EU is working hard to realize its Europe 2020 growth strategy and European integration. What can be assured is that strengthened bilateral cooperation is in the common interests of both sides, and conducive to both achieving their development goals. At the same time, enhancing China-EU cooperation makes an important contribution towards safeguarding world peace, stability and prosperity. China and the EU aim to expand bilateral trade to US $1 trillion by 2020. They have also agreed to combine China-Europe cooperation and Silk Road Economic Belt construction, their goal to build a vast Eurasian market, thereby making China and the EU twin engines of global economic growth.
We have reason to believe that the great potential of China-EU relations will usher in a bright new era.
ZHAO JINJUN is president of China Foreign Affairs University.
