China-EU: Making the world a better place: EU and China strategic partners since 1975 and in it for the long run

Together, China and the EU generate 33.9 
percent of the world's economic output

On May the 7th, 2015  the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a Press release jointly issued by Wang Yi - Chinese Foreign Minister and Federica Mogherini  the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission commemorating the 40th anniversary of the day when China and the European Economic Community (EEC) officially established diplomatic relations.

It was a decision taken with exceptional foresight on both sides. "Note EU-Digest: specially if we look back at the developments going on in the world today".

The world is beginning to move towards a more multi-polar order: China and Europe want to lead that transformation - Note EU-Digest: and have done so quite peacefully and successfully so far". 

While this cooperation will continue, we need to look at ways to address the root causes of piracy on land. We also intend to expand our focus to promoting peace and security in Africa, by supporting the capacity of the African Union and working together in places such as Mali.

Our common successes embolden us to keep on the same track. Together we can address other longstanding peace and security challenges such as the Middle East Peace Process, where we are both committed to a comprehensive, two-state solution for Israel and Palestine..

Both China and the EU are convinced that the conflict in Ukraine can only be solved by diplomatic means and through full respect for international law, especially respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. We call on all sides to fully assume their responsibility and to implement their commitments under the Minsk agreements.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the European Union last year, we were committed to developing potential synergies between EU policies and China's "Silk Road Economic Belt" initiative. As two major forces on the Eurasian continent, the EU and China should make joint efforts, together with the countries along the Silk Road, to strengthen communication and coordination on this topic.

We also have a shared responsibility for countering terrorism in all forms. The EU has been grateful for Chinese efforts to evacuate and bring back to safety Chinese, European and other citizens from Yemen.

Our efforts should continue now towards addressing the acute crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen by working towards negotiated political solutions under the aegis of the United Nations. And we should do everything we can to prevent such crises to arise in the future.

We have come such a long way since 1975, when our relationship was based on trade and economic relations only. But in forty years we have also reached an unprecedented level of interdependence.

Our trade now reaches, according to Chinese statistics, as much as $600 billion, and some 16,000 passengers are traveling between China and EU countries on over 70 flights each day. We are committed to strengthening trade and economic ties, facilitating people-to-people exchanges, and to boosting two-way investment and improving market access on a reciprocal basis.

Over the decades, we have also learned that development has to be sustainable and inclusive, with structural reforms and innovation at its core. These goals can only be achieved achieve if we work together, through constructive interaction and mutual support. This is the essence of our strategic partnership.

China and the EU are accountable for the well-being of about a quarter of the globe's population. Our two economies impact immensely on those around us. We should co-ordinate more closely at the multilateral level.

Significant resources have also been dedicated to advancing the climate change agreements and secured at the Paris Conference of the Parties.
 

At the EU-China Summit held in Beijing 12-13 July 2016 leaders discussed common challenges, including the protection of the rule-based international order.

The UN post-2015 development agenda also offers an important opportunity and means to alleviate and eradicate poverty, and to promote growth and human rights, not least the right to development. EU and China will work together for a fair, inclusive and sustainable post-2015 agenda.

The year 2015 also marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations. China and Europe are among those who built and maintained the post-World War II international order based on the UN Charter.

China will continue to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter, and their universality, and work actively for peace, development and human rights in international relations, the rule of law in international governance, and a more equitable international order.

Note EU-Digest: In 2016, China was the world's largest economy for the second year in a row. It produced $21.3 trillion in economic output. The European Union was in second place, generating $19.2 trillion. Together, China and the EU generate 33.9 percent of the world's economic output of $119.4 trillion.The United States fell to third place, producing $18.6 trillion. The world's three largest economies combined produced $59 trillion.

 March/04/2017

EU-Digest

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