DEEPEN PARTNERSHIP FOR BRIGHTER FUTURE
The EU and China are world players. The EU is China's biggest trading partner, while China is the EU's largest source of imports and second largest two-way trading partner. The trade and investment relationship is a major source of wealth, jobs, development and innovation for both sides.
The EU was the first regional cooperation mechanism established after the end of the Second World War; it's also the one that has developed the fastest.
It is very positive for Europe and China to advocate free and open trade in face of rising populism and protectionism. It is pressing to solve the problem of reciprocity so as to boost trade and investment. The bilateral investment treaty seems a win-win solution, said Dekeyser.
"Contrary to conventional wisdom, we believe the challenges currently confronting the EU may turn out to be an opportunity for the EU to become more mature," said Wang Yi.
China and the EU have a solid foundation of cooperation and the two sides have enhanced cooperation on connectivity, investment plans, and other strategies including "Made in China 2025" and Germany's "Industry 4.0," said Wang Yiwei, director of the Center for European Studies at China's Renmin University.
And the connection between the two sides is deepening with the progress of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
Proposed in 2013 by President Xi, the Belt and Road Initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.
The cooperation between China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries has become a highlight under the Belt and Road Initiative, said the expert.
The director cited the fact that 25 Chinese cities have launched China-Europe express lines, which tremendously promoted the links between the two continents and contributed to the infrastructure construction and industrial development in the region.
Global cooperation relies on rules, arbitration and common standards. Both Europe and China are interested in the rule-based global multilateral system. Real opportunity lies ahead when the two parts work together for the system and support each other, said Guntram B. Wolff, director of Brussels-based think tank Bruegel and former official in the European Commission.
"China's contact with Europe and its participation here have become so vast and multidimensional. I think China even knows Europe better than many Europeans," said Shada Islam.
The scholar said China and Europe should join hands, especially in the era of a more separated world, to cooperate on issues of mutual concern. "The two sides have extensive opportunities for cooperation and our partnership is essential in this unstable world."
