China News Network, 11 Apr (Chen Caixia) Recently, European political leaders have visited China intensively. Aycia García Herrero, chief economist of Natixis Asia Pacific, said in an interview with Chinanews.com that the successive visits of many political dignitaries to China show that the development of EU-China relations is of great importance, and the two sides hope to continue to strengthen cooperation in many fields on the basis of mutual benefit. "Embracing China" is an important driving force for the EU to seek economic recovery and development.
Draftsman: Chen Shankun
The prospects for China-EU economic and trade cooperation are promising
China and the EU are important trading partners. In the past year, in the context of the slow recovery of the world economy, bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation between China and the EU maintained a good momentum. In 2022, bilateral trade in goods between China and the EU totaled US$847.3 billion, up 2.4% year-on-year.
Herrero pointed out that in the past three years, due to multiple factors such as the new crown epidemic, the dialogue between the EU and China has decreased, and now is a good time to strengthen EU-China cooperation. In recent years, the EU and China have carried out extensive cooperation in the fields of scientific and technological innovation, green energy, and international student exchanges. Europe is accelerating its transition to clean energy, and the International Energy Agency reports that China accounts for more than 80% of the manufacturing stages of solar panels, and there is great potential for cooperation.
Data map: On September 16, 2022, the China-Europe Express (Xi'an) International Mail Line opened for the first time, the train loaded with international mail, parcels and commercial express leaves Xi'an International Port Station, exits through Alashan Port, and will arrive in Malaszewicz, Poland about 12 days later, and the mail will be transferred to European countries by Polish Post. Photo by ZHANG Yuan, reporter of China News Agency
Herrero said that in 2023, the economies of EU countries will still face great uncertainty, and "embracing China" will be an important external driving force for countries to seek economic recovery and even development. Europe attaches great importance to the Chinese market, continuously expands market access, and "goes in both directions" with Chinese enterprises to achieve mutual achievements. Further strengthening communication and exchanges between the EU and China is conducive to diversifying commercial and trade cooperation and reducing global supply chain risks.
Herrero also said that French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President von der Leyen have visited China one after another, which is crucial to the development of France-China and EU-China relations, aiming to clarify that Europe has no intention of "decoupling and breaking the chain" with China. On the basis of mutual benefit, the two sides seek to strengthen cooperation in the political, economic and other fields, promote the development of EU-China relations with the results of cooperation, and also help promote world peace and development.
"Together for peaceful solutions"
Herrero said that the visit of Macron and von der Leyen to China proves that in the current international environment, the need for communication between Europe and China is increasing, and they can "communicate with respect, conviction and friendship."
Infographic: French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President von der Leyen. Photo by Li Yang, reporter of China News Agency
On April 6, at the trilateral meeting between China, France and the European Union in Beijing, Macron and von der Leyen said that the EU side appreciates China's efforts to promote a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis, expects China to play a more important role, and is willing to cooperate with China to find a way to persuade peace and promote talks.
The situation in Ukraine is a matter of European security and global stability. "I am very happy to see China's efforts to peacefully resolve the Ukraine crisis." Herrero said.
She further pointed out that "China's position on the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis issued by the Chinese side provides a basis for the EU-China to meet each other halfway on the Ukraine issue. As the world's two major powers, Europe and China rely on each other to solve global challenges. The European Union, China and other major world powers hope to help Russia and Ukraine return to the negotiating table and propose practical and peaceful solutions. ”
Herrero also stressed that past practical experience shows that if you adhere to the "cold war" mentality and ideological confrontation, it will lead to a backlash, and Europe opposes all forms of "new cold war". Europe and China are both important forces promoting the development of multipolarity in the world and important participants in global governance. Healthy and stable EU-China relations are of great significance to safeguarding "true multilateralism". (End)