Closer China-EU Partnership: Adding Positive Energy to a Turbulent World

2023 was a year of great significance for China and the European Union. We celebrated the 20th anniversary of the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership. And leaders from the two sides had first face-to-face Summit in three years, setting a new direction for the bilateral relationship, writes Ambassador Fu Cong. 

As we start the year 2024, the world is still fraught with big changes and turbulence. China and the EU are two major forces, markets and civilizations in the world. A healthy and stable China-EU relationship not only serves the interests of the two sides, but also meets the expectations of the wider global community.

After more than a year as Chinese Ambassador to the EU, I am deeply aware that correct mutual perception is the very basis for a thriving China-EU relationship. Misperceptions can easily lead the relationship astray, causing instability and imbalances. Throughout my interactions with European friends from various sectors, I have observed a lot of misperceptions about China. There are two questions that deserve our attention and reflection.

The first question is: Is China trying to upend the existing international order? Contrary to some misconceptions, China is a founder and beneficiary of the existing international order, and remains a firm defender of the current system. The world today is accelerating towards multipolarity, with intensifying geopolitical competition, resurfacing Cold War mentality, and hegemonic, high-handed and bullying acts. Against this background, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world. We believe in equality among all nations, big or small, and firmly oppose hegemony and power politics. We emphasize the need to accommodate the collective rise of developing countries, and ensure that they have more voices and representation by reforming global governance. To keep the progress towards greater multipolarity generally stable and constructive, we call on all countries to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, adhere to universally recognized norms governing international relations, and practice true multilateralism. This is not to overturn the current system or start something new, but to ensure its long-term development. The fact is, however, that certain big Western powers are turning back the wheel of history by seeking to maintain hegemony out of their selfish interests. And they should take the blame, not China, for undermining the international order.

The second question is about whether China adopts a winner-takes-all approach in economic cooperation with other countries. The answer is a resounding NO. People familiar with Chinese culture know the auspicious Chinese New Year greeting “Gong Xi Fa Cai”. Translated as “wishing you prosperity”, it goes beyond a mere well-wish. It reflects a profound cultural ideal about the pursuit of shared development and prosperity. Another example is that since the launch of reform and opening up, China has profited a lot by actively embracing economic globalization. In turn, China has also benefited the rest of the world with its own development. Statistics show that every one percentage point increase in China’s economy contributes to a 0.3 percentage point increase in the growth of other economies. Countries worldwide, including those in Europe, have gotten on board the “express train” of China’s development. The sad news is, however, that today there are some dissonant voices. Some countries are building “exclusive yards with high walls” against China and calling for derisking from China. This is an attempt to obstruct China’s efforts to contribute to global development. And it will go nowhere and only end up being counterproductive. China maintains that economic globalization should be universally beneficial and inclusive. We seek to address development imbalances resulting from the global allocation of resources to meet the common needs of all countries, so that the benefits of economic globalization can be shared in a better, more equitable manner among all stakeholders. Looking forward, China remains committed to advancing high-quality development and high-standard opening up. The bright prospect of China’s economic development will help dispel the dark clouds of anti-globalization sentiments, and boost global economic recovery.

As firm supporters of multipolarity and economic globalization, both China and the EU oppose bloc rivalry and a new Cold War, and reject decoupling and attempts to cut off supply chains. When it comes to promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world, and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, China and the EU have common interests and shoulder common responsibilities. China looks forward to working with the EU to take real actions and build a community with a shared future for mankind. To cope with unprecedented risks and challenges, the international community calls for unity over division, dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over conflict, and inclusiveness over exclusion. It is guided by the same spirit of unity, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness that European countries have promoted closer integration, and achieved lasting peace and common development after the Second World War. This makes me believe that the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind will lead the world into a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.

As a Chinese poem goes, “With the rising tide and favorable wind, it is time to sail the ship and ride the waves.” As we usher in a new decade of comprehensive strategic partnership, I am confident that closer China-EU partnership is the right way forward in a world of change and turbulence. Let us work together to make new progress for global development and the future of mankind.