Sino-EU talks offer opportunity for deeper cooperation, experts say

As the 25th China-European Union Summit convened in Beijing, analysts highlighted that despite differences, China and Europe share deep economic and geopolitical alignment.

President Xi Jinping met with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on July 24, during their visit to China. Later, the two EU leaders co-chaired the 25th China-EU Summit alongside Premier Li Qiang.

Experts said the talks come at a time of global realignment, offering both sides a chance to solidify cooperation.

“The US, under the Donald Trump administration, is adopting a hegemonic stance, going so far as to impose measures that run counter to European interests,” said Wu Jian, a professor at the NEOMA Business School in France.

“The European Union, if it wants to avoid being sidelined in an increasingly polarized world, must assert a clear and balanced position, one that defends its interests while actively contributing to global governance,” she said.

“This EU-China summit embodies that ambition: to establish a strategic dialogue with China, to promote renewed multilateralism, and to work toward a fairer and more stable international order,” Wu added.

Vuk Vuksanovic, a political analyst at the London School of Economics’ LSE IDEAS foreign policy think tank, said that the EU will still try to hedge its bets with China, given Europe’s on-and-off relationship with the US under the Trump administration.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic held a video call on July 22, engaging in “candid and in-depth” discussions on China-EU economic and trade cooperation and key issues of concern, China’s commerce ministry said on July 23.

Experts highlighted the converging priorities of China and the EU, with joint interests spanning critical sectors — from maintaining global security to driving green transition and next-generation technological development.

Cui Hongjian, director of Beijing Foreign Studies University’s Center for European Union and Regional Development Studies, said, given the evolving international landscape, both China and Europe face the same challenge: how to protect economic security in an increasingly complex world.

“At the very least, when it comes to handling conflicts, their agreements far outweigh their disagreements. Neither side wants disputes to turn into confrontation or worse. Whether it’s the Ukraine issue or other potential conflicts, China and Europe have every reason to work together on reasonable solutions,” Cui said.

“On green and digital transitions, the two sides also share aligned policy objectives ... And crucially, both still back free trade and open markets. These common priorities should drive deeper cooperation in new areas.”

“The real task now is turning shared principles into action,” Cui said.

The common interests shared by the two sides have been built upon a strong foundation of economic ties.

Over the past 50 years, China and Europe have become each other’s second-largest trading partners, with annual bilateral trade surging from $2.4 billion to $785.8 billion — a more than 300-fold increase.

Cui from Beijing Foreign Studies University said: “The world today is caught between two competing forces — one destructive, the other constructive ... I believe the constructive forces should deepen their cooperation and unity.”

“Held on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations, the summit serves as a bridge between the past and future. It offers both sides an opportunity to build on lessons learned, expand common ground, and move forward more effectively together.”

Contact the writers at yangran1@chinadaily.com.cn