The upcoming 24th China-European Union (EU) summit in Beijing on December 7-8 presents a pivotal opportunity for China and Europe to enhance their cooperation in addressing global challenges. Erik Solheim, former Undersecretary-General of the United Nations and Vice President of the Green Belt and Road Development Coalition, emphasized the significance of strengthened China-Europe relations in a recent interview.
Solheim highlighted that relations between China and Europe have deteriorated somewhat in the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. “There’s so much to be achieved if Europe and China can work together as forces for economic development to solve climate and environmental problems, and to resolve some of the major conflicts of our time,” he stated.
Advocating for strategic autonomy, Solheim echoed French President Emmanuel Macron’s vision of Europe as an independent global entity. “Europe is a third entity – it’s not China, it’s not the United States – and it should look for how it can play its role,” he explained. Solheim underscored that while Europe historically shares close ties with the United States, it also has much in common with China, especially in driving environmental progress and fostering a more peaceful world.
He called for increased business cooperation between Europe and China, suggesting that both sides can do more to allow companies to access their respective markets. “If we trade more – more Chinese investment in Europe and more European investment in China – that would be a massive force for better communication,” Solheim said.
Addressing the current global turbulence marked by conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine situation and tensions in the Middle East, Solheim stressed the need for improved global governance. “Absolutely not,” he responded when asked if the current world order is capable of dealing with these crises constructively. “We need to bring together all these nations in new forms, and particularly, we need to improve the relations between China and the U.S. because if the main powers of the world work together, it would be so much stronger to solve the key issues of the day.”
Solheim urged for mutual respect and dialogue between different civilizations, acknowledging that while China and Europe have different political systems, they can still collaborate effectively. “Still, we can respect each other as different civilizations. China and Europe, along with India, are among the basic civilizations of humanity,” he noted.
Reference(s):
Solheim: China and Europe must work as forces of economic development
cgtn.com
