Refer China: Global leaders offer insights on 50 years of EU-China relations

Expert reflections on 50 years of partnership.

Fifty years ago, the European Union (EU) and China established diplomatic relations, marking a pivotal moment in modern international diplomacy. CEIBS, co-founded by the Chinese government and European Union in 1994, has over the years served as a vital bridge for facilitating economic and cultural exchange between China and Europe.

Since its establishment, the school has hosted numerous events every year that provide a platform for meaningful dialogue between the EU, China and the world. At a time when globalisation is under scrutiny and uncertainty looms large, here we present a collection of insightful reflections on EU-China relations from distinguished European and Chinese leaders, made over the years at our past forums. This compilation not only reflects the depth and complexity of the EU-China partnership, but also highlights CEIBS' distinctive role in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration between these two global powers, a role the school remains committed to ahead of another 50 years of EU-China relations.

Romano Prodi

Former Italian Prime Minister, Former President of the European Commission, and CEIBS Chairman

January 2024, Shanghai

After decades of a unipolar world, we now find ourselves back in a bipolar world dominated by two competing systems. Today's international trade system faces multiple challenges, from widening wealth gaps and government subsidies to trade sanctions and technology blockades, all of which are putting increasing strain on the existing international trade system. It is essential for China and Europe to join forces in exploring new rules that can ensure fair competition between both sides.

Charles Michel

Former President of the European Council, former Prime Minister of Belgium, and CEIBS Distinguished Professor

May 2025, Shanghai

The EU's motto of 'unity in diversity' and China's credo of 'harmony without uniformity' make them partners for collaboration. I hope that China and Europe could draw lessons from past experience, and would like to suggest some ideas for the future relationship: one, that the EU-China relationship should be considered on the basis of its own merit, without being influenced by other powers, and two, that EU-China differences and divergences must be managed in a responsible way, with respect, transparency and sincerity to foster mutual understanding.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin

Former Prime Minister of France, Special Representative of the French Government for China, and CEIBS Distinguished Professor

June 2025, Paris

Cooperation has an adversary, and this adversary is ignorance. We Europeans must make much more effort to learn the language, to learn the culture, to try to understand what China is, while our Chinese friends must also understand what the European Union is. We will not be good partners in the present if we do not have a vision in common for the future, and this is why I believe that intellectuals, managers, entrepreneurs, civil society, and others must work together to make sure that our day-to-day cooperation becomes more positive and constructive over the long term.

Pascal Lamy

Former Director-General of the World Trade Organization and CEIBS Distinguished Professor

November 2024, Shanghai

We need cooperation amongst major economies like the EU and China, as well as shared responses to global shocks and a commitment to a trading system that is governed by rules, in combating rising protectionism. I'm not comfortable with the idea of 're-globalisation', because I'm not sure it is a proper concept; it implies we are 'de-globalising'. I believe that the EU and China must now work together more, and CEIBS is a formidable platform to display how much better we are when we work together.

Chen Deming

Former Minister of Commerce for China

May 2025, Shanghai

China and Europe should unite and shoulder their historical responsibilities, ensuring that human civilisation and our achievements since World War II do not regress. Further rules-based openness between Asia and Europe will not only benefit businesses and the people in their respective regions, but also significantly strengthen the international multilateral economic order.

Fu Cong

Then Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Head of the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union

November 2023, Brussels

Amid an uncertain global landscape and regional conflicts, China-EU relations not only concern the interests of the two sides but also have great global significance. Given this, we should first strengthen communication and dialogue to increase mutual trust; Second, we should take more concerted actions to manage our differences; Third, we should be more innovative in expanding areas of cooperation. These are my three key words to lift our relationship: Communication, Action, and Innovation, or CAI in brief.

Jorge Toledo

Ambassador of the European Union to China

May 2025, Shanghai

The next 50 years are unlikely to resemble the past 50 years. Looking ahead, we need to rebalance the trade and economic relationship, uphold the principles of fairness and a level playing field, explore new forms of collaboration, and deepen the partnership for mutual benefit. In such an insecure and unstable world, EU-China engagement is more important than ever, and the EU and China should come together in the global pursuit of stability and prosperity and elevate the relationship to new heights.

Zhu Jing

Minister of the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union

October 2024, Brussels

Amid a complex international landscape, China and the EU, two major forces driving multipolarity, play a key role in facilitating global peace and stability for common development. How the world will look in the future depends on the choices made by China and the EU. The essence of China-EU cooperation lies in complementing each other's strengths and achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. The nearly 50-year relationship of China-EU relations has proven that differences do not mean that we stand against each other, and that disagreements do not hinder cooperation. The key is to have political will and resolve.

Wang Hong

CEIBS President

May 2025, Shanghai

Over the past 50 years, China-EU relations have seen their share of twists and turns, yet the partnership has remained strong, growing deeper and more substantive over time. As the world looks toward a new era of globalisation—one that is more open, inclusive, and beneficial for all—China and the EU have a vital role to play in driving this forward. CEIBS, in turn, will continue to serve as a key bridge between the two sides.

Dominique Turpin

CEIBS President (European)

June 2025, Paris

CEIBS is a great example the success of EU and China relations. In today's complex global climate, we all have the duty of optimism. The terms 'mutual respect', 'compromise', 'openness', 'communication', and 'trust' are vital in seizing mutual opportunities and forming a shared future for China and Europe in difficult times.