On the afternoon of January 14, 2025, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with President of the European Council Antonio Costa at the latter’s request.
Xi Jinping extended congratulations once again to Antonio Costa on his assuming office as President of the European Council, noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), an important milestone building on past achievements and charting the future. The development history of China-EU relations demonstrates that as long as the two sides uphold mutual respect, treat each other as equals and engage in candid dialogue, they can advance cooperation and accomplish great things. Like-mindedness makes for partnership, and seeking common ground while respecting differences also defines partnership. The key lies in respecting the social systems and development paths chosen by each other’s people, as well as each other’s core interests and major concerns. China has always regarded Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world, and firmly supported European integration and the EU’s pursuit of strategic autonomy. Both sides should summarize the experience of the development of China-EU relations, draw important lessons, jointly safeguard the political foundation of China-EU relations, and promote the positive and forward development of China-EU relations, so as to bring greater benefits to the peoples of China and Europe and contribute more stability and certainty to an increasingly turbulent international landscape.
Xi Jinping stressed that there is no clash of fundamental interests or geopolitical conflicts between China and the EU; both sides are partners that can contribute to each other’s success. Over the past 50 years, China-EU relations have not only contributed to their respective development but also made significant contributions to global peace and prosperity. The more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and the EU should adhere to the original aspirations of establishing diplomatic relations, strengthen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, and uphold the positioning of partnership. China remains confident in the EU and hopes the EU will also prove to be a trustworthy cooperation partner for China. The economic and trade cooperation between China and the EU is mutually complementary and beneficial, with both sides serving as defenders of the multilateral trading system. The two sides have already formed a strong economic symbiotic relationship. Noting that China remains committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening up, Xi Jinping said that it will bring new opportunities for China-EU cooperation. The two sides should expand mutual openness, consolidate existing cooperation mechanisms, and foster new growth areas in their cooperation. Both sides should also ensure the success of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, enhance cultural exchanges and people-to-people interactions, encourage mutual visits between their people, and support local exchanges and educational cooperation, so as to strengthen the foundation of public support for China-EU friendship.
Antonio Costa said that 2025 marks an important year for EU-China relations. The EU side is willing to work with the Chinese side to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, enhance dialogue and communication, increase strategic mutual trust, strengthen the partnership, and open up a better future for the development of EU-China relations. The EU side is ready to properly handle economic and trade differences with the Chinese side through dialogue and consultation. Both the EU and China respect the principles of the UN Charter, uphold multilateralism, safeguard free trade, and oppose bloc confrontation, and the two sides should cooperate rather than compete. In this era full of challenges, the world needs closer EU-China cooperation to tackle global challenges such as climate change, and jointly make positive contributions to world peace, stability and development.
The two sides also had an exchange of views on the Ukraine issue, among others, with Xi Jinping elaborating on China’s principled position of promoting peace talks.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China