China, EU called on to foster mutual understanding, carry ties forward

Diplomats and scholars on Tuesday underlined the importance of relations between China and the European Union, calling on the two sides to join hands to foster mutual understanding and mutual trust amid global challenges.

The remarks were made at a seminar, jointly held by the China Think-tank Network on Europe and news outlet The Paper to mark the 50th anniversary of China-EU ties.

Tang Heng, a senior official with the Foreign Ministry's Department of European Affairs, said that over the past 50 years, since China and the EU established diplomatic relations, the ties have continually matured and stabilized.

"We should uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties and continue to anchor our relationship in the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership," Tang said.

Ambassador of Denmark to China Michael S. Christensen told the seminar that the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties is an important milestone for the two sides to reflect on "what we have achieved, what we want to achieve and where we want to go next".

"We serve different interests, but that doesn't mean we can't sit down in a dialogue and at least understand where we come from and where we find common ground," the Danish ambassador said, adding that the 25th China-EU Summit, which was held in Beijing on Thursday, "was a good occasion to continue that dialogue".

"I don't think it was ever the intention to enter into big agreements, but we need to meet regularly to discuss and compare notes," he added.

Noting both China and the EU serve as forces of stability, predictability, continuity and peace in a rapidly and dramatically changing world landscape, Di Dongsheng, dean of the School of Global and Area Studies at Renmin University of China, said the two sides have vast potential for cooperation and share common interests.

He expressed the hope that the China-EU ties will not be overwhelmed by geopolitical pressures, hijacked by short-term and local interests, or distorted by external political pressures.

Zhang Huiyong, executive director of international cooperation at Energy Foundation China, noted at the seminar that climate change is a key aspect of China-EU cooperation.

Noting this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Zhang stressed that both China and the EU are staunch supporters of the agreement and multilateralism.

China and Europe share a common stance on addressing climate change, both believing that tackling climate change can improve energy systems and ensure energy security, he said.