The 25th China-European Union summit fell in the 50th anniversary year of diplomatic relations. The double milestone set the stage for guiding strained ties between the two trading giants towards less troubled waters.
Economic tensions compounded by the Ukraine war could not be mended overnight. But President Xi Jinping set the tone and pointed the way forward ahead of the summit chaired by Premier Li Qiang, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
In a meeting with the European leaders, Xi described China and the EU as “two big guys” in the world. That is a compelling reminder the world is facing huge complexity, and the more complicated it is, the more imperative it is for China and Europe to show mutual respect, find common ground and keep open minds in the search for win-win outcomes to economic and security concerns.
Xi said that amid accelerating transformation and an international landscape fraught with turbulence, China and Europe must demonstrate vision and responsibility by making the right strategic choices “that meet people’s expectations and stand the test of history”.
The strategic situation is fluid, with Europe facing steep tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Xi said the two sides should reinforce their partnership as a cornerstone in bilateral ties, adding that the challenges Europe is facing “were not from China”. Beijing hoped Europe would likewise respect its chosen development path and political system, acknowledge its core interests and major concerns.