To mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, the China-EU Summit was held in Beijing on July 24. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People. During the meeting, Xi emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation, strengthening communication, and upholding multilateralism. He stressed that the challenges Europe faces today “do not come from China.”
Xi stated that China-EU relations are at a historic crossroads, with both sides sharing responsibilities in areas such as global governance and climate change. He urged both parties to respect one another, avoid using Western standards to assess China, and strengthen their partnership. He also called for greater openness, opposing “decoupling,” supply chain disruptions, and trade protectionism, while promoting mutually beneficial economic ties. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to jointly uphold multilateralism and advance the international governance system in a fairer and more balanced direction.
Xi highlighted the importance of enhancing strategic dialogue and mutual trust, and reiterated that China and the EU should pursue independent foreign policies that are not targeted at third parties. In light of global instability and rising geopolitical tensions, he proposed deeper cooperation in areas such as green development, digital economy, and artificial intelligence. He also called for resolving international disputes through political means and safeguarding the role of the United Nations.
EU leaders responded positively to Xi’s remarks, acknowledging the growing scale and depth of China-EU relations and reaffirming that both sides have become key partners in trade and cooperation. Von der Leyen and Costa reiterated that the EU does not seek to “decouple” from China, and welcomed Chinese investment in Europe. They expressed willingness to work with China to promote global stability, address climate challenges, and support peaceful development.