On May 19, 2026, the Chinese Mission to the European Union held a European Enterprises Roundtable. Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, briefed participants on the development of China-EU relations and the prospects for China-EU economic and trade cooperation. He also engaged in in-depth discussions with representatives from 14 European business associations and enterprises. Minister Suo Peng, Minister Counsellor Chen Su, Minister Counsellor Wang Hailong, and others from the Mission attended the event.

Ambassador Cai Run noted that China-EU relations are currently at a critical stage of development. Situated at the eastern and western ends of the Eurasian continent, China and Europe have no fundamental clashes of interests or geopolitical conflicts. The two sides share far more consensus and cooperation than differences and competition. They are partners, not rivals. The essence of China-EU economic and trade cooperation lies in complementarity and mutual benefit. Despite various difficulties and challenges, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has maintained positive growth momentum, demonstrating the strong resilience and vitality of China-EU collaboration. China hopes the EU will work in the same direction with China, follow through the important consensus reached by leaders of both sides, properly manage economic and trade differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation, and further deepen and expand economic and trade cooperation. China stands ready to work together with the European business community to seize opportunities, address challenges, and promote the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.

Representatives from the European business community stated that the EU and China are each other’s essential markets. The two sides need to strengthen dialogue and communication, enhance mutual understanding, seize cooperation opportunities, and properly handling differences and frictions. The European business community stands ready to contribute to the development of EU-China economic and trade cooperation.