CCCEU Message on the 45th anniversary of Sino-EU relations

On May 6, 1975, the People's Republic of China and the European Community – which later became the European Union – established diplomatic relations. The times were very different then: the European bloc consisted of fewer than 10 members; and China was a planned economy, with its people among the poorest in the world.

The past four-and-half decades have witnessed two sweeping changes in the world: steady European integration and rapid Chinese development. The EU now consists of 27 countries and is the biggest zone of developed economies. China is the world's second-largest economy and will get rid of absolute poverty this year.

More importantly, the two global players have greatly contributed to the globalization process on all fronts with interdependence becoming a hallmark of the past decades. Two-way investment and trade have increased manifold. With European businesses being warmly welcomed in China and, in recent years, Chinese investment expanding quickly in Europe, China and the EU have supported each other in achieving their own mission of making citizens rich, businesses booming and countries strong. In a nutshell, the openness of both sides has brought each other closer, a legacy the Chinese business community inherited from previous decades.

Obviously, the 45th anniversary comes at a difficult time for both sides, as the world battles the unfolding global pandemic.

Over the past months, it has become clear that cooperation at bilateral and global level is key to counter a major challenge which now affects all worldwide. During the common fight against COVID-19, the EU and China have rushed to support each other with donations and assistance, showing once more that collaboration makes us stronger and that common battles need to be fought together.

On behalf of its members, the CCCEU commends the efforts that China and the EU have made to safeguard their strategic partnership and legacies over these 45 years and the past difficult months. The private sector looks at the Chinese and European leadership with hope and optimism at this cooperation which has made both sides prosperous and stronger in easier times, and resilient during more demanding circumstances.

When the world is at crossroads, clearer vision, strong determination and political will are crucial. Virus and recession are not the enemy but going backward is.

We are delighted that, amid global difficulties and setback, the leaders of China and EU have repeatedly sent strong message to deepen their partnership while upholding the principles of globalization and multilateralism, safeguarding international cooperation and supporting each other's development agenda.

The Chinese business community in Europe is committed to joining such efforts in translating words into action to further build on the relationship and reap mutual benefits.