On December 7, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on the sidelines of the 24th China-European Union (EU) Summit.[1] President Xi noted that relations with the EU have been strong and dynamic since the end of last year. Noting that high-level dialogues in the strategic, economic, trade, green and digital fields have yielded positive results in bilateral relations, President Xi emphasized that these achievements serve the interests of both sides and the expectations of the peoples.
China and the EU are major powers supporting multipolarity globally and have large markets that promote globalization. President Xi emphasized that amid growing uncertainties in the international arena, China-EU relations are of strategic importance and have important implications for global peace, stability and prosperity. It is the shared responsibility of both sides to build a strong momentum for greater stability and development around the world.[2]
There is a high degree of complementarity between the Chinese and EU economies. Efforts by both sides to broaden and deepen cooperation should be seen as an important step towards further strengthening common interests. China’s economy is enjoying a steady growth trend and is pursuing high-quality development and opening-up strategies. Xi Jinping sees the EU as a key partner for economic and trade cooperation, a preferred partner for scientific and technological cooperation, and a reliable ally for industrial and supply chain cooperation. President Xi expressed his country’s readiness to work together with the EU on the basis of win-win principle and common development.
Cooperation between the two sides involves utilizing their complementary strengths in markets, capital and technology, strengthening traditional industries, exploring new models of cooperation and jointly developing industrial and supply chains. Strengthening people-to-people exchanges and facilitating the flow of personnel is also seen as an important goal. Emphasizing that the Belt and Road Initiative is an inclusive platform that benefits more than 150 countries, Xi Jinping said that China will continue to create synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EU’s “Global Gateway” to support the rapid growth of developing countries.
EU leaders have emphasized that cooperation with China is expanding and is based on mutual benefit and equality. The management and development of EU-China relations is an important issue that concerns not only the interests of the peoples of both sides, but also global prosperity and security. The EU values its ties with China and seeks a long-term, stable, predictable and sustainable relationship.
Seeking to rebuild “strategic trust” with the EU, Beijing has signaled that it will keep diplomatic channels open for trade disputes. Economically, the complementarity between the Chinese and EU economies highlights efforts to broaden and deepen cooperation. President Xi has stated that China sees the EU as a key partner for economic and trade cooperation and attaches high priority to this cooperation.
In conclusion, China’s Belt and Road Initiative is of strategic importance for European geopolitics. It can further strengthen relations between China and the EU by increasing economic integration and creating new models of cooperation. However, it is important to continue diplomatic efforts to resolve trade disputes and political issues. This is a long-term method of cooperation that will contribute to the interests of both sides and global stability.
[1] “President Xi Jinping Meets European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202312/t20231207_11196623.html, (Date Accession: 07.12.2023).
[2] Same place.
