European, Chinese legislators hold dialogue in Shanghai

In a bid to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation between Europe and China, a dialogue was held during the 2024 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges that commenced in Shanghai on Tuesday.

The annual forum has brought together over 40 incumbent and former legislators from various countries, including 14 representatives from Europe, with 12 of them currently holding legislative positions. These European legislators hailed from countries such as Italy, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, and Cyprus, among others.

The dialogue aims to foster friendly exchanges and promote mutual development among the parliaments of participating nations. Discussions centered around themes focused on fostering a correct perception between China and Europe, deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and advancing practical cooperation between the two sides.

Yang Wanming, the president of the event's host, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and a member of China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress, emphasized China's strategic and long-term view of its relationship with Europe. He highlighted Europe's significance as a crucial partner in China's modernization efforts but acknowledged the new challenges facing China-Europe relations amid evolving international dynamics.

"The European Union simultaneously positions China as a partner, competitor, and systemic rival. We believe that this positioning logic is illogical, even confusing and contradictory, bringing unnecessary interference and obstacles to the development of China-Europe relations," Yang said. "Between China and Europe, we believe there are no geopolitical conflicts, no fundamental conflicts of interest. Just because of the differences in political systems, it does not mean that we are opponents of each other. Competition should not reduce cooperation, and differences should not lead to confrontation."

Esther Gil, third deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Spain, stressed the importance of closer collaboration between the European Union and China in addressing global and regional challenges.

Roberto Speranza, a deputy of the Democratic Party and former Health Minister of Italy, emphasized the need to build strong bridges of mutual understanding despite cultural differences. He highlighted the importance of "respect and study" as fundamental pillars for developing a robust cooperation framework between China and Europe.

"In spite of cultural differences, we must work together step by step to build strong bridges of mutual understanding," Speranza said. "Respect is the first fundamental condition. Differences should never be considered as barriers. Study is the other key word. Every year, more European students decide to learn Chinese language and culture. In the meantime, many Chinese students learn European languages and cultures. This is the right direction we should follow. We should all remember that knowledge is the opposite of prejudice, the more we learn about the other the better it is for mutual understandings."

Spyridon Kyriakis from Greece underscored the necessity of strengthening global partnerships for sustainable and inclusive growth in light of the unprecedented challenges faced by the world in recent years.

Harald Troch from Austria emphasized the close economic ties between China and Europe as "an asset in our good and prolific relation".

"We should follow a way of cooperation because the economic ties between China and Europe are already so close that we need the cooperation," Troch said. "There is no alternative to cooperation."