中文
By Xia Fangting
China and the European Union should enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation through continued dialogue, as the importance of their bilateral relationship grows amid a transforming global governance system, experts said at a Beijing luncheon on April 8.
Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, called on both sides to address each other's concerns through more targeted dialogue on industrial policy, market access, economic security and supply chain resilience. Doing so would reduce friction and open more sustainable paths for cooperation, he said.
Globalization remains strong, Eskelund noted, pointing to data showing global container transport growth outpaced world economic growth over the past two years.
"There's no way we can sensibly talk about deglobalization when trade growth is going much faster than global economic growth," he said.
For free trade to continue gaining support, he added, it is essential that trade relations continue to create value for both sides.
Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, speaks at a luncheon in Beijing, April 8, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the Center for China and Globalization]
Han Bing, former deputy director-general of the European Affairs Department at China's Ministry of Commerce, described China and Europe as two major forces for multipolarity, two vast markets underpinning globalization and two great civilizations championing cultural diversity.
He stressed that both sides should view each other as partners rather than rivals, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, better understand each other's development priorities and policy concerns, and expand cooperation while respecting differences.
Han Bing, former deputy director-general of the European Affairs Department at China's Ministry of Commerce, speaks at a luncheon in Beijing, April 8, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the Center for China and Globalization]
Attendees also called for reform of the World Trade Organization, agreeing that despite their differences, China and Europe share broad common interests in upholding multilateralism, stabilizing global supply chains and promoting open cooperation.
Continued dialogue and an open environment are key to managing differences and identifying new areas for cooperation, they said.
Attendees pose for a group photo after a luncheon in Beijing, April 8, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the Center for China and Globalization]
The luncheon was co-hosted by the Center for China and Globalization and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, bringing together diplomats, experts, academics, corporate executives and media representatives.
