As China and the European Union commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for both sides to act as anchors of stability in an increasingly uncertain world. During a high-level meeting in Beijing on Thursday, Xi outlined a vision for deepening cooperation while addressing economic and geopolitical challenges.
From Trickle to Torrent: A Trade Success Story
Trade between China and the EU has grown exponentially since 1975, with daily exchanges now matching entire annual volumes from five decades ago. Recent customs data reveals bilateral trade reached $785.8 billion in 2024, supported by major investments like CALB's $2.2-billion battery plant in Portugal.
Three Pillars for Future Cooperation
Xi proposed a roadmap focusing on:
Mutual respect in strategic positioning
Open dialogue to manage differences
Strengthened multilateral coordination
The leaders agreed to upgrade export control mechanisms and maintain stable supply chains, addressing concerns from both sides.
Climate Action as Common Ground
A joint climate statement emerged as a key summit outcome, with former EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy noting: "Our shared environmental goals could bridge political differences." The agreement reinforces commitments to carbon neutrality and green technology partnerships.
As geopolitical tensions reshape global alliances, Xi's call for "dynamic equilibrium" through economic complementarity positions China-EU relations as a critical axis in 21st-century diplomacy.
