Chinese foreign ministry official on 50 years of China-EU relations
DG for European affairs with China's MOFA calls for enhanced cooperation amid rising global challenges
On May 14, the European Union (EU) Delegation to China hosted a conference in Beijing, marking the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations.
Under the theme "Encouraging Balance, Upholding Commitments, Embracing Responsibilities," the event brought together around 500 participants, including diplomats and experts, from both sides.
In the opening session, Mr. Jorge Toledo Albiñana, EU ambassador to China, and Mr. Li Jian, director general for European affairs with China's foreign ministry, delivered opening remarks. Ambassador Toledo's speech is available here.
Following this, Mr. Michel Barnier, former prime minister of France and former EU commissioner, gave a keynote speech, which can also be accessed in English here.
As an official English version of Mr. Li's speech has not yet been released, I have provided a translation below. The original Chinese text can be found on the official WeChat account of the Chinese Mission to the EU.
Please note that this translation has not been reviewed by Mr. Li.
李健司长在欧盟驻华代表团庆祝中欧建交50周年研讨会上的演讲
Speech by DG European Affairs Li Jian at conference on 50 years of EU-China relations in Beijing
Your Excellency Mr. Michel Barnier,
Your Excellency Ambassador Jorge Toledo Albiñana,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to participate in the conference hosted by the European Union (EU) Delegation to China in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. Last week, the leaders of China and the EU exchanged congratulations on the occasion of this milestone, providing political momentum and strategic guidance for the bilateral relations. Recently, both sides have organized a series of events to celebrate the anniversary, showcasing the vitality and profound depth of the China-EU relationship. Today, renowned experts and scholars from both sides have gathered here, and I hope that this conference will provide insightful perspectives and constructive recommendations for the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.
Over the past half-century, China-EU relations have traversed the turbulence of the Cold War and weathered numerous challenges, yet they have maintained an overall positive and forward-looking trajectory. Strategic mutual trust has deepened, economic and trade exchanges have expanded continuously, people-to-people and cultural exchanges have become increasingly widespread, and multilateral coordination has proven highly effective. It has been proven that the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership has not only delivered tangible benefits to the nearly two billion people on both sides, but also made significant contributions to global peace and development, thereby setting a fine example of mutually beneficial cooperation in the era of economic globalization.
The theme of this conference is "Encouraging balance, Upholding commitments, Embracing responsibilities." These three key words provide an excellent starting point for reflecting on the past and shaping the future.
First, balance. The "wisdom of balance" in Chinese culture is often referred to as the "Doctrine of the Mean," which seeks to achieve a fair, reasonable, and harmonious state of balance. Over the past 50 years, China-EU relations have achieved comprehensive, balanced, and sustainable development. The two sides have established China-EU Summit meetings and five high-level dialogues covering strategy, economy and trade, environment and climate, digital affairs, and people-to-people exchanges. With 70 dialogue and cooperation mechanisms spanning economy, politics, society, culture, global governance, and international affairs, we have forged an all-round framework for China-EU dialogue and cooperation in various fields and sectors.
Whether the relationship between the two sides is balanced should be viewed dynamically, comprehensively, and historically, rather than in a static, one-sided, or fragmented manner. On trade issues, China has a trade surplus with the EU in goods, but a deficit in services, with significant deficits in areas such as tourism and education. China has never deliberately pursued a trade surplus, but has taken various measures to achieve trade balance.
In economic and trade cooperation, the EU has expressed certain concerns regarding China, while China is equally concerned about the EU's groundless investigations against Chinese enterprises and its frequent restrictive measures. We should properly position and appropriately handle our differences to prevent them from becoming structural factors hindering the development of China-EU relations. Both sides should focus more on creating synergies rather than erecting barriers. We should promote two-way opening, expand market access, support mutual investment, foster a favorable business environment, and work toward upward balance in China-EU trade and investment.
Second, commitment. Honoring commitments is a fine tradition in both Chinese culture and diplomacy. China's policy towards the EU has always been characterized by high stability and consistency, and we have consistently supported Europe's integration and strategic autonomy. In times of prosperity or adversity, China's commitment to Europe has remained unwavering. We not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.
From the first day of the Ukraine crisis, China has been actively working for peace and pushing for talks, encouraging all parties concerned and stakeholders, including Europe, to take part in the peace talk process. The Ukraine crisis should not become an obstacle to the development of China-EU relations, but rather a platform for cooperation. We stand ready to work with the EU to bridge differences, foster consensus, and jointly advance the early realization of peace in Europe, as well as the establishment of a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture.
China has always maintained confidence in the EU and hopes the EU can become a reliable partner that respects China's core interests and major concerns. On the Taiwan question, fifty years ago, Sir Christopher Soames, then vice-president of the European Economic Community, clearly stated during the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations that "All the Member States of the Community recognized the government of China and had taken positions with regard to the Taiwan question acceptable to the People's Republic". He also confirmed that "the Community does not entertain any official relations with Taiwan or have any agreements with it." This commitment constitutes a legal obligation and binding constraint on the EU and its member states, and we hope the EU honors this promise.
On the issue of human rights, China and the EU share the opposition to the politicization of human rights issues and double standards. We both reject the use of human rights as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, oppose imposing one's own model on others, and denounce so-called "megaphone diplomacy" and confrontation in multilateral forums.
It is our hope that both sides will implement these important consensus through concrete actions, adhering to dialogue and cooperation rather than confrontation and pressure. We stand ready to work with the EU to jointly contribute to the advancement of international human rights causes.
On compliance with WTO rules, since its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, China has strictly fulfilled its commitments, reducing the overall tariff level to 7.3%, which is comparable to that of developed WTO members. The negative list for foreign investment access has been continuously reduced, and the manufacturing sector has been fully opened.
We hope that the EU will also abide by WTO rules and the principles of fair competition, exercise restraint in the use of trade remedy measures, refrain from turning economic and trade cooperation into political and security issues, and provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Europe.
Third, responsibility. As Mr. Barnier recently noted, Europe and China share three fundamental responsibilities: jointly safeguarding global peace and stability, defending the multilateral trading system, and addressing global challenges like climate change. China fully concurs with this assessment.
At present, some countries are wantonly pursuing unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism, severely undermining internationally recognized rules and order. Should such behavior go unchecked, decades of post-war international progress risk being undone. Rebuilding what would be lost would prove painstakingly protracted—an outcome neither China nor Europe desires.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of both the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. As co-architects and custodians of the post-war international order, China and Europe should demonstrate leadership and responsibility, provide certainty, and uphold U.N.-centered international system and WTO-centered multilateral trading system, thus preventing the world from returning to a "jungle" where might makes right.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As President Xi Jinping noted in his congratulatory message on the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, a sound and stable China-EU relationship not only works to the advantage of both sides but also brings benefits to the whole world.
The more complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe should stay true to the aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, remain each other's partners, pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and jointly address global challenges. I believe that as long as both sides move forward together and strengthen cooperation, we can jointly create a even brighter future for the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. In this, we have full confidence:
This confidence stems from a correct assessment of historical trends. Despite the complex and ever-changing international landscape, the process of global multipolarity continues to advance, the overarching trend of economic globalization remains irreversible, and humanity's shared aspiration for peace and development cannot be thwarted. No one wants to see the return of the jungle rules where might makes right, no one desires a relapse into the Cold War era of bloc confrontation, no one wants to see nations imposing exorbitant tariffs on each other, triggering global economic recession, and no one would tolerate unilateral bullying that tramples upon international fairness and justice.
This confidence is also grounded in an objective recognition of China and the EU's global roles. As two major global powers, markets, and civilizations, China and the EU together account for one-third of global GDP and one-quarter of world trade. As long as China and the EU join hands, there will be no bloc confrontation, no division of the world, and no collapse of the international order, and a "new Cold War" will not emerge.
This confidence derives from a clear understanding of the mainstream effort and underlying feature of China-EU relations. While China and Europe differ in historical traditions, cultural backgrounds, social systems, and development stages, our 50-year journey has demonstrated that we share no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions. We are partners, not rivals, and our relationship is more cooperative than competitive and features more consensus than differences.
Over these five decades, China-EU relations have grown more mature and resilient, having established effective mechanisms and accumulated valuable experience in addressing differences. As long as both sides respect each other, engage in equal consultation, and address each other's legitimate concerns, we will certainly be able to overcome difficulties and properly manage differences. A good example of this is the recent simultaneous and comprehensive mutual lifting of restrictions between China and the European Parliament.
This confidence is rooted in the solid foundation of China-EU dialogue and cooperation. In 1975, bilateral trade between China and Europe stood at a mere $2.4 billion. By 2024, our total trade volume has surpassed $785.8 billion -- what we now achieve in a single day equals an entire year's trade in the past. Our investment flows have grown from virtually zero to $260 billion. The China-Europe freight trains has made over 100,000 trips, establishing itself as a golden corridor connecting Asia and Europe.
China-EU cooperation enjoys strong public support and extensive common interests, yielding fruitful outcomes across trade and investment, connectivity, fiscal and financial cooperation, scientific research and innovation, emerging industries, people-to-people exchanges, and sustainable development. Both sides champion a multipolar world and economic globalization, facilitate the political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues, and are committed to strengthening global governance.
This confidence is further bolstered by the broad prospects for the development of China-EU relations. There are many important things on the agenda between China and the EU this year. China welcomes European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's trip to China at appropriate time for a new round of China-EU Summit. Both sides will also hold strategic, economic and trade, environment and climate, and digital high-level dialogues.
Recently, there have been many voices calling for the resumption of the ratification of the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. The joint statement from China-EU leaders' meetings has also repeatedly affirmed that both sides may, in due course, conclude a China-EU Free Trade Agreement. China's pursuit of high-quality development and high-standard opening-up will create new opportunities for elevated cooperation between our two sides. We stand ready to strengthen strategic synergies, including exploring synergizing Belt and Road cooperation with the EU's Global Gateway strategy, thereby fostering mutual reinforcement between China's modernization drive and European integration for our shared development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As the Chinese saying goes, "At fifty, one understands the decrees of Heaven", and by reflecting on the past, one can foresee the future. All of you present here are supporters, participants, and contributors to China-EU relations. May I encourage each of you to bring forth your wisdom and energy, to generate new intellectual synergies through our exchanges, to distill the profound lessons from our shared journey, and to collectively chart a steady and enduring course for China-EU relations. Together, we can make even greater contributions to global peace, stability, development and prosperity.
I wish the conference a great success!
Thank you all!