By Martin Banks - 13th May 2010
Over these 35 years, our political relations have been maturing
Song Zhe
China´s ambassador to the EU has appealed to both sides to "seek common ground and put aside differences."
Song Zhe said it would be beneficial to both the EU and China to "properly accommodate each other’s major interests and concerns."
He was speaking at a special ceremony at the European commission's Berlaymont headquarters to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.
Standing alongside him was commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, recently returned from leading a high-level delegation to Beijing where he attended the opening of the World Expo in Shanghai.
In his address, Song said that in the past 35 years"significant changes" had taken place in both Europe and China.
He said the same could be said for EU-China relations "which has come through an eventful journey and attained extraordinary achievements."
"Over these 35 years, our political relations have been maturing. Especially in recent years, leapfrog developments in our relations took us three steps forward—from constructive to comprehensive, and then to comprehensive strategic partnership.
"Today, there are, between us, annual summit, high-level economic and trade dialogue, and many other important political consultation mechanisms. Together we have made our bilateral relationship one of the most influential bilateral relations in the world."
Song, who unveiled a plaque at the Berlaymont to mark the 35th landmark, added, "Our economic cooperation and trade has been booming. In 1975, the annual bilateral trade volume between China and the EU was only $2.4 billion, roughly equivalent to what we could currently achieve in two days.
"Today the EU is China’s largest trading partner and export market, as well as the biggest source of import and technology transfer. China is the EU’s second largest trading partner and the fastest growing export market."
Song, China´s top diplomat in the EU, said 'people-to-people' exchanges have also been widening.
"We are enjoying frequent personnel exchanges at all levels and our cooperation continue to deepen and expand. Nearly 200,000 Chinese students are studying in Europe and more than 150,000 EU citizens are working in China.
"In recent years, we have also effectively promoted mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples through a number of major public events of cultural and people-to-people exchanges."
Cooperation in international affairs has also been intensifying, he told this week's ceremony.
"Ancient civilizations though we are, China and Europe are taking up roles as major powers today. In the past, we shared with each other evidence of our best practices.
"Today, we share common interests and similar concepts as we commit ourselves to closer communications and coordination in international and regional affairs for a multipolar world and stronger global governance."
Song said Barroso´s recent visit to China "not only demonstrated the strategic vision of the EU leadership, but also sent out a strong positive political message."
He added, "Leaders from the two sides had very constructive, open and in-depth dialogues, and reached many important consensus.
"Both pledged to continue to support each other, committed to viewing and developing China-EU relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, strengthen bilateral cooperation, deepen cultural exchanges, and jointly tackle global challenges such as financial crisis, climate change, and energy security."
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