On February 13, 2023, Ambassador Fu Cong, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, Met Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the External Relations Section of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). They had in-depth exchanges of views on China-EU relations, bilateral cooperation mechanism and other issues.

Ambassador Fu said that an important message from the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is the continuity and stability of China’s internal and external policies, including China’s policy on the EU. He noted that as China and the EU are two major forces, two big markets and two great civilizations in the world, China-EU cooperation bears on the stability and prosperity of the world. He stressed that China attaches great importance to the relationship with the EU. Friendship remains the underlying theme of China’s policy on the EU, and cooperation the overarching goal. China looks forward to a positive role played by the EESC that is committed to leading to an enabling environment for the development of China-EU relations. China is ready to work with the EU to develop the China-EU Round Table, an important dialogue mechanism, and consolidate public and social support for this relationship and contribute to the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

Mr. Dimitris Dimitriadis welcomed Ambassador Fu for assuming the new role and conveyed EESC President Christa Schweng’s warm regards. He said that as China is its significant partner, the EU attaches importance to developing relations with China. The EESC is willing to enhance dialogue and communication with China and boost practical cooperation in various sectors. He expressed his readiness to establish good working relations with Ambassador Fu and the Chinese Mission, so as to pursue new progress in the EU-China Round Table.