50th Anniversary of EU-China Diplomatic Relations
Importance of the EU as both a market and trading block for China
On 6th May 2025, European Chamber President Jens Eskelund and Secretary General Adam Dunnett attended an evening event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the European Union (EU) and China hosted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. They also attended a closed-door pre-meeting during which Vice President Han received a delegation led by EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo.
Vice President Han noted that China and the EU have no fundamental conflicts of interest, and that China supports the United Nations system, international law and the World Trade Organization at the centre of the global trading system. He emphasised that the EU and China provide stability in a world experiencing increasing uncertainty, with unilateralism and bullying becoming more apparent. He raised his hopes that the EU can address issues related to China's exports of electric vehicles and that the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment can be advanced. He further noted that China is looking forward to the EU-China Summit that is scheduled to take place in July.
Ambassador Toledo thanked the vice president for the meeting before introducing the Polish and Danish ambassadors to China, who represent the current and forthcoming European presidency, as well as European Chamber President Eskelund and Secretary General Dunnett. He also pointed out that this year is the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, and that the EU is also looking forward to the EU-China Summit in July. Ambassador Toledo highlighted the importance of the EU as both a market and trading block for China, stressing that there must be a rebalancing of the relationship, and that the upcoming summit needs to focus on laying the groundwork for another 50 years of excellent relations.
Source: European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
https://www.europeanchamber.com.cn/en/national-news/3711