China's vital bridge to Europe: On the occasion of CCCEU's first anniversary

For centuries, the Silk Road explorers and trail-blazers of the Age of Discovery had worked to foster the interdependence of China and Europe. 

This historic continuity has taken great strides since the founding of New China in 1949, and especially after the opening-up and reform of China in 1978.

But the presence of Chinese businesses in Europe became prominent only after the 2008-09 financial crisis. By the end of 2019, China's direct investment in the European Union had passed $100 billion, over 130 times more than in 2005. 

Chinese businesses and their European partners are deeply embedded in the global supply and value chain. 

To maintain this momentum, the Bank of China (Luxembourg), China Three Gorges (Europe) and COSCO SHIPPING (Europe) took the initiative of setting up the China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union in 2018.

On the eighth of April last year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inaugurated the Chamber in Brussels, saying he hoped it would articulate the views of stakeholders and present a robust image of Chinese businesses.

The Chinese Ambassador to the EU, Zhang Ming, told the C.C.C.E.U.'s chairperson, Zhou Lihong: “The chamber's progress this year is impressive and beyond my expectation.”

Today, the chamber represents 61 Members and includes business associations in most EU member states. It covers about 1,000 Chinese enterprises on the continent. 

As we present in our 2019 flagship report, Chinese enterprises investing in the EU create millions of jobs directly and indirectly. They raise the skills of the local population and boost innovation. 

We hold dialogues with various stakeholders aimed at better understanding. We have our own websites and Twitter, Facebook and other social media channels to communicate our briefings, research and survey findings. We also communicate our Members' concerns: the European market is not an easy one, as our latest survey shows.

We found that one out of two Chinese businesses in Europe has encountered various operational difficulties; and in 2019, six out of ten reported zero growth in revenues year-on-year. 

Chairperson Zhou says: "The overarching aim of our chamber is to contribute to common prosperity while respecting the diversity of the EU. We value the basic market principle of growing together with European partners." 

In recent weeks, the global war against the COVID-19 pandemic has showcased this spirit. When China was hit by the epidemic, our Members and European partners raced to donate masks and other medical supplies worth at least 3 million euros to China. 

Now we are extremely concerned that the situation is worsening in Europe. The Chamber has been coordinating efforts with medical equipment suppliers and so far its Members have mobilized supplies worth 6 million euros.

When our donation reached frontline hospitals in Italy, the former Italian prime minister Romano Prodi saw it as a sign of friendship and solidarity. "We will never forget," he told the Chamber. "I do hope that the world understands that we are really in the same boat."

Mounting difficulties, unexpected disruptions and rising uncertainties are changing the already-challenging business landscape between China and the EU, with their 1.9 billion shared consumers. 

We are ready to explore more opportunities: the EU's trust of multilateralism and free trade in in its DNA. We are deeply aware of its commitments to a green and digital transformation while addressing our joint challenges. 

But we must face reality: the Chamber, which started operations just a year ago, is still in its infancy. 

To grow, we are building a lean, responsible and responsive Secretariat team. We welcome active members to join the Chamber's leadership and contribute their resources and wisdom. 

At this historically unprecedented and tough moment, our actions, together with our European partners, matter.

President Xi Jinping recently agreed with Europe's leaders that China and the EU must cooperate to ensure the stability of the global supply and value chain.  

Our Members and our European partners have their roles to play.

So we are committed to realizing the continent's golden decade of green, digital and inclusive growth.

Finally, we send our warmest wishes for your safety and health, and those of your family and friends.