Consolidating Sino-EU trust

Mutual understanding and benefits build the fundamental basis for relations to grow in stable and sustainable ways

In the course of the last 38 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union, especially over the last 10 years of our comprehensive strategic partners, China-EU relations have been constantly maturing with increasing interdependence. This has been a result of both sides' relentless efforts to constantly overcome their differences with trust. The history of China-EU relations tells of the paramount significance of deep mutual trust for the stable and sustainable growth of a relationship.

Mutual trust comes from knowing and understanding the other. It develops and consolidates as we support each other over time. On the part of China, we have always supported Europe's integration and its aspiration to play a significant role in global peace, stability, and prosperity. Over the years, China has remained steadfast and true to our position of supporting Europe - in both its good days and its bad days. Particularly since the outbreak of the debt crisis, when in recent years pessimistic voices against European integration and the euro have permeated widely, China has retained its confidence in the EU and has provided whatever assistance it can to Europe. Down the road, China will continue to support European integration and the EU's efforts to address its crisis and play a bigger role in international affairs.

Mutual trust can be found in many areas of cooperation between China and Europe at multiple levels. There is enormous diversity among EU member states. Such diversity, coupled with the different backgrounds of China and Europe, has made our relations diverse and many layered.

In my view, China-EU cooperation progresses on three levels: institutions, member states, and sub-regions. The efforts at these different levels complement and reinforce each other. Therefore stronger cooperation at these three levels is conducive to advancing the size and quality of China-EU cooperation, and will help realize the comprehensive and balanced growth of relations and help Europe address its current difficulties.

We view the EU institutions as a high achievement of European integration, and always regard them as a key platform for China-EU relations. We attach great importance to the active role of the institutions in coordinating the EU's China policies and in facilitating China-EU cooperation, and we make constant efforts to maintain sound communication and cooperation with them.

Member states are important in the delivery of the cooperation agreement reached between China and the EU. In China, we view our relations with member states as a strong foundation for the overall China-EU relationship. Each EU member state has unique national conditions with respect to natural resources and economic and social development. As a result, the focus and needs of each member state's cooperation with China varies, a factor that we take into thoughtful account when conducting cooperation with member states.

However, with the changes taking place in the global landscape, more and more EU member states have begun to demonstrate similar needs and interests in their cooperation with China. This trend has created potential for China and Europe to carry out sub-regional cooperation. Through our practical experience of ongoing cooperation between China and central, eastern, and southern Europe, we have learned that such cooperation can meet the demands of both sides and can ensure faster implementation as it effectively mobilizes and provides incentives for the public, social and private sectors to work together.

The cooperation between China and sub-regions and member states across Europe is transparent, open, and inclusive. Such cooperation is an integral part of overall China-EU relations, and is, in essence, a kind of extension and in-depth development of China-EU cooperation, serving the interests of not only member states but also the EU as a whole. We are confident that by promoting cooperation at all levels, we can add more substance to China-EU cooperation and make it broader, deeper, and more solid.

Mutual trust is also encapsulated in the proper management of differences. Due to our different national condition, development level, and choice of development path, China and Europe have different perspectives on some problems. In the future, we will continue to view and handle these issues with reason and objectivity, and continue to use dialogue and cooperation to remove misgivings and build trust.

China and Europe are now presented with wonderful new opportunities to grow our ties. The two sides are working actively on a medium- and long-term plan of cooperation. I strongly believe that by adopting the spirit of equality, mutual trust, cooperation, China and Europe will produce a new chapter of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The author is China's ambassador to the EU.

(China Daily 04/26/2013 page8)