On November 13, 2025, the Mission of China to the European Union, Friends of Europe and China Public Diplomacy Association jointly held the 13th China-Europe Forum in Brussels. Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Mission of China to the European Union attended the forum and delivered a speech. The full text of Ambassador Cai’s speech is below:
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning! It is a great pleasure to attend the China-Europe Forum again and to exchange views with both new and old friends. At the outset, on behalf of the Mission of China to the European Union, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the convening of the 13th China-Europe Forum, my sincere welcome to all the distinguished guests, and my heartfelt thanks to the Friends of Europe, the China Public Diplomacy Association, and all those from various sectors who have cared for and supported the development of China-EU relations.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. It is also the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic ties. At such a significant juncture where we build on the past achievements and look into the future, this year’s forum, themed “Strengthening cooperation: China-EU relations as a source of stability and certainty” is both timely and meaningful. We are living in a world full of turbulence and transformations. China and Europe are two major forces in building a multipolar world, two big markets supporting globalization, and two great civilizations advocating diversity. The development of China-EU relations therefore carries greater strategic significance and global impact. In this regard, I would like to share a few thoughts for discussion.
First, China and the EU need to take the important consensus reached by their leaders as guidance and keep China-EU relations stay on the right course.
In July this year, President Xi Jinping met with President António Costa of the European Council and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission during their joint visit to China. They held in-depth discussions on China-EU relations and reached important consensus, charting the course and providing strategic guidance for the future development of this relationship. Premier Li Qiang co-chaired the 25th China-EU Leader’s Meeting with the two EU Presidents, which produced positive outcomes and gave strong impetus to the advancement of bilateral relations. The two sides jointly issued the Joint statement on climate change by Chinese and EU leaders. This year, China and the EU have also held a new round of China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue, the High-Level Dialogue on Environment and Climate, the 42nd meeting of China-EU inter-parliamentary regular exchange mechanism, as well as the upgraded export control dialogue along with other exchanges in various areas.
At present, the main task for both sides is to work faster to deliver on the important consensus reached between the leaders and outcomes of their meetings, seize opportunities, properly handle differences and frictions, and promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.
Second, the five-decade of China-EU relations has offered valuable experience in many areas. The key lies in respecting each other’s social systems and development paths independently chosen by their respective peoples, and support each other’s core interests and major concerns.
China and Europe are located at the two ends of the Eurasian continent. There are no fundamental clash of interests, nor geopolitical conflicts between the two sides. While China and the EU differ in social systems, ideologies, histories, cultures, and stages of development, these differences should serve as drivers for exchange, mutual learning, and deeper cooperation, not as reasons or excuses for division and confrontation. The consensus and cooperation between China and the EU far outweigh their differences and competition. The two sides are partners, not rivals, and certainly not enemies. Like-mindedness makes for partnership, and seeking common ground while respecting differences also defines partnership.
China has always viewed and developed China-EU relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. We regard Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world, support European integration and Europe’s strategic autonomy, and support Europe in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs.
The Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It stands at the very heart of China’s core interests. It is a red line that must not be crossed. The one-China principle is a widely recognized consensus of the international community and a basic norm governing international relations. It is also the political foundation and precondition for China and the EU to establish and develop their diplomatic relations. China urges the EU side to abide by the one-China principle, and uphold the correct position and respect China’s core interests and major concerns on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, human rights, etc.
Third, China and the EU need to properly manage economic and trade differences and frictions, and work together to further expand the “pie” of practical cooperation.
This year, despite the severe challenges posed by increasing instability and uncertainty in the global economy, China-EU practical cooperation in areas such as economy and trade has maintained steady growth. According to Chinese statistics, from January to September this year, China-EU trade reached USD 614.2 billion, up 4.3% year on year. According to EU statistics, from January to August, trade between the two sides amounted to EUR 496.3 billion, an increase of 3.4%. So far, two-way investment stock has exceeded USD 280 billion, and the China-Europe Railway Express has operated more than 110,000 trains in total. The growth of China-EU economic and trade cooperation against global headwinds fully demonstrates the essentially complementary and mutually beneficial nature of their practical cooperation, as well as its resilience and vitality. This does not come easily, and should be highly valued and cherished.
As we speak, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is gaining momentum. While consolidating and deepening cooperation with the EU in traditional areas such as trade, investment, culture, education, and tourism, China is also willing to actively expand cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and green development. China also stands ready to promote effective synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, so that more fruits of cooperation will benefit the people of both sides and contribute to the well-being of the entire world.
Given the large scale and wide scope of China-EU economic and trade cooperation, differences and frictions are inevitable. The key is to implement the important consensus reached by our leaders and resolve these issues properly through dialogue and consultation. China opposes politicizing economic and trade issues or overstretching the concept of security in this field, and rejects protectionism. We hope the EU will work with China in the same direction to address problems in economic and trade cooperation through dialogue and consultation, and jointly foster a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for practical cooperation between the two sides.
Fourth, China and the EU need to jointly uphold multilateralism and work to build a more just and equitable international order.
President Xi Jinping recently put forward the Global Governance Initiative. Its core principles include upholding sovereign equality, observing the international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, promoting a people-centered approach, and taking real actions. This initiative, following the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, represents another major public good that China has offered to the world. It responds to the expectations of the international community and has already received explicit support from over 140 countries and international organizations. Each of the four global initiatives has its own focus yet complements and reinforces the others. Together, they embody China’s wisdom and solutions for addressing the various problems and challenges facing the world today, and they promote the evolution of the international order and system toward greater fairness and justice. These four global initiatives are designed to reform and improve the existing international system and order, not to dismantle or replace them.
To better support the functions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and safeguard an open and inclusive trading environment, China has announced that while maintaining its status as a developing country, it will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO, casting a vote of confidence in the multilateral trading system through concrete actions. To strengthen global confidence in climate governance, China recently announced its new Nationally Determined Contributions that cover all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases, for the first time introducing absolute emission reduction targets. This represents a clear sign of China’s firm resolve and utmost effort in addressing climate change.
Multilateralism represents the greatest unifying consensus between China and the EU. China stands ready to work with the EU to uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, support the reform and development of the WTO, maintain communication on international and regional issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the Israel-Palestine conflict, and jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges. Together, we need to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, promote world peace and development, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Fifth, both China and the EU are major economies in the world. Their respective development will not only create new opportunities for bilateral cooperation but also contribute greater stability and certainty to the world.
Not long ago, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, outlining a grand blueprint for China’s economic and social development over the next five years. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will further comprehensively deepen reform and unswervingly expand high-standard opening-up. It will strive to pursue higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, advance well-rounded human development, and promote common prosperity for all. These efforts will open up broader space for cooperation between China and countries around the world, including European countries. Recently, China announced that it would extend its unilateral visa-free policy for 45 countries until the end of 2026. So far, 25 EU member states can enjoy China’s unilateral visa-free policy. We have noted that the EU is striving to advance green and digital transitions, and enhance its competitiveness. China welcomes Europe’s new progress and hopes that Europe’s achievements will also bring new opportunities for China-EU cooperation and contribute to global development and prosperity.
Today, friends from various sectors will engage in in-depth discussions on China-EU cooperation. I am confident that your insights will play a positive role and make important contributions to the further development of China-EU relations.
To conclude, I wish the 13th China-Europe Forum a complete success!
Thank you.