OVERVIEW
2025 marks the significant milestone of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union.
On March 7, 2025, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke about China-EU relations during a press conference at the Two Sessions.
Wang Yi stated that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic ties. Looking back over half a century of exchanges, the most valuable lesson has been mutual respect, the strongest driving force has been mutual benefit, the most consistent consensus has been multilateralism, and the most accurate positioning is that of a partnership.
Over the past 50 years, China-EU cooperation has made significant progress. Trade volume has grown from $2.4 billion to $780 billion, and investment has increased from nearly zero to nearly $260 billion. The China-Europe Railway Express has operated over 100,000 trips, becoming a golden corridor connecting Asia and Europe.
Today, 50 years later, the combined economic output of China and the EU exceeds one-third of the world's total. China-EU cooperation now holds greater strategic importance and global influence. A healthy and stable China-EU relationship will not only benefit both parties but also shine a light on the world.
Overall, China and the EU have maintained good relations over the past 50 years. For a long time, their economic and trade cooperation has been built on solid foundations and complementary advantages.
With the new U.S. administration imposing additional tariffs on both China and the EU, each side must consider how to respond to U.S. pressure to protect their economic interests. Now and for a long time to come, Europe will be both a competitor in the economic sphere and a key partner in shaping a multipolar international order, as well as a stakeholder in addressing global challenges.
Seizing a Strategic Opportunity
In this context, the 16th Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit is about to open, creating a bridge for in-depth dialogue and collaboration between Chinese and European business leaders, and driving China-EU cooperation in science and technology innovation to new heights.
China-EU Cooperation: Standing at a New Historical Starting Point
Over the past 50 years, China-EU relations have weathered storms and continued to deepen and expand. In 2025, China-EU cooperation stands at a new historical starting point, with strong momentum in trade, science and technology, culture, and other fields. China’s proposed concept of “new quality productive forces” injects fresh vitality into China-EU innovation cooperation and offers new ideas for global sustainable economic development.
New Quality Productive Forces: A New Opportunity for China-EU Innovation Cooperation
At a critical stage of global economic transformation and upgrading, China has proposed the concept of "new quality productive forces," emphasizing science and technology innovation at its core to promote industrial upgrades and high-quality economic growth. This concept aligns closely with the EU's digital and green transition strategies, offering new opportunities for collaboration. China and the EU share a solid foundation for cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, new energy, smart manufacturing, and big data. Strengthened collaboration can lead to complementary advantages and jointly promote global technological progress.
The 16th China-EU Entrepreneurs Summit: Opening a New Chapter of Cooperation
The 16th Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit will be grandly held from June 2 to 7 in Madrid, Spain and Paris, France. The summit will bring together top entrepreneurs, government officials, and industry leaders from China and Europe, providing a high-level platform for dialogue and promoting deep cooperation in trade, technology, culture, and more.
High-Level Dialogue Platform
The summit offers Chinese and European entrepreneurs a premier dialogue platform, facilitating deep cooperation in economic, technological, and cultural fields. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to engage face-to-face with European policymakers and industry experts, gaining insights into the latest market trends and policy directions—strongly supporting international expansion.
Cutting-Edge Topic Discussions
The summit will focus on frontier topics of global economic development, such as AI, smart manufacturing, new energy, and fintech. These discussions will help participants grasp industry trends and explore new business opportunities. Through in-depth exchanges, Chinese companies can access the latest tech and market updates, enhancing innovation and global competitiveness.
Project Matchmaking and Collaboration
The summit provides face-to-face opportunities for Chinese and European businesses to connect on R&D, market expansion, and investment cooperation. Through collaboration, Chinese companies can better integrate into global industrial chains and enter international markets, while European companies can leverage China’s vast market demand and strong manufacturing capacity to achieve win-win results.
Global Vision
By participating in the summit, attendees will gain a deep understanding of the European market and an international business perspective, supporting their global development. Participants will also visit local enterprises, research institutions, and innovation projects to experience Europe’s innovation climate and business environment firsthand.
Cultural Exchange and Integration
In addition to economic cooperation, the summit values China-EU cultural exchange, encouraging collaboration in areas like culture, education, and tourism. Cultural activities will help participants better understand European history, traditions, and social customs, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.
Recommended Flights
From Beijing
CA907: June 2, Beijing → Madrid, 02:00–08:00
IB585: June 5, Madrid → Paris, 09:45–11:55
CA934: June 7, Paris → Beijing, 20:20–12:25
From Shanghai
MU709: June 2, Shanghai → Madrid, 00:45–08:40
IB585: June 5, Madrid → Paris, 09:45–11:55
MU570: June 7, Paris → Shanghai, 21:20–14:40
The 16th Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit is not only a grand occasion for business exchange and collaboration but also a new starting point for China-EU science and technology cooperation. In this special year, let us join hands to open a new chapter in China-EU cooperation and contribute to the sustainable development of the global economy.
