CGTN Highlights President Xi’s Call For Stronger China-EU Ties At Landmark 25th Summit

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with European Union (EU) leaders at the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations and calling for deeper cooperation in trade, investment, and global governance.

As reported by China Global Television Network Corporation (CGTN), the summit emphasised China’s push for multilateralism, economic openness, and mutual respect as the guiding principles for future China-EU relations.

During a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing recently, President Xi told European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that China-EU relations have entered a critical historical juncture.

Xi said there are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions between the two sides, stressing that cooperation remains the dominant feature of bilateral ties, according to CGTN in a statement.

He proposed that both parties uphold mutual respect, pursue openness and cooperation while managing differences, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the international rules-based order.

Xi said the China-EU economic relationship is naturally complementary and mutually beneficial and highlighted the importance of deepening partnerships in green and digital sectors.

According to China’s customs data, trade between China and the EU reached US$785.8 billion in 2024, a 300-fold increase compared to 1975, when relations were first established. (US$1=RM4.21)

He also urged the EU to maintain an open market and refrain from restrictive trade measures to ensure a favourable business environment for Chinese enterprises in Europe, citing Chinese battery giant CALB’s US$2.2 billion plant in Portugal—expected to create 1,800 jobs—as a model of productive bilateral investment.

CGTN highlighted that both sides agreed to upgrade their export control dialogue mechanism, enhance communication, and ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains at the summit.

Xi emphasised that China has always regarded the EU as an important strategic partner and consistently supports European integration and the EU’s strategic autonomy, noting that China-EU relations are independent and should not be influenced by third parties, and calling for increased strategic dialogue and mutual trust.

The two sides also issued a joint climate statement, reaffirming their commitment to green development and multilateral cooperation.

-- BERNAMA