China, EU enjoys expanding relations

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-31-2009 15:18

China began diplomatic relations with the European Community, the predecessor to the European Union, back in 1975. A decade later, the two sides signed a Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement. Today, that relationship has developed into a strategic partnership with the EU.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, Chinese Premier  Wen Jiabao and European Commission President Jose Manuel  Barroso pose before their trilateral meeting at the EU  headquarters in Brussels. China and the European Union  set aside past differences Friday and vowed to work  together to confront the global economic crisis and  climate change.(AFP/Dominique Faget)

China and the European Union recognized each other as “Strategic Partners”in October 2003.

In 2005, China and the EU celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Frequent high level visits reflect the deepening of bilateral relations in various fields.

Feng Zhongping, International relations analyst, said, “In the past, the EU focused mainly on its economic relationship with China. But now the situation is changing. Political dialogue is increasing.”

China's rapid economic development over the past twenty years has significantly impacted Sino-EU trade relations.

The EU has become China's biggest trade partner and China is the EU's second largest trade partner. Last year, bilateral trade reached 425 billion US dollars. But as trade grows, so does economic friction.

Feng Zhongping, International relations analyst, said,“The biggest problem between the two sides is trade. China's strong exports to Europe have increased Europe's trade deficit to China.”

But as an economic recession hits almost every corner of the globe, experts say there are good reasons to believe that both sides will overcome obstacles on the way to developing and pushing forward bilateral ties.

Away from trade, the China-France culture year from 2003 to 2005 was the largest ever cultural exchange between China and Europe. It improved understanding between the two nations. The Italian culture year in 2006 also had a similar impact.

Editor:Zhang Yun