The Delegation of the European Union to China on 14 May hosted a one-day conference in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the EU and China. Titled “Encouraging Balance, Upholding Commitments, Embracing Responsibilities”, the conference brought together over 25 distinguished speakers from Europe and China to examine the history and future of EU-China relations across key areas such as geopolitics, trade, green transition, and global development.

EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo delivered the first opening remarks, emphasizing the need for meaningful progress beyond dialogue between the EU and China: “this is high time for the two partners to go beyond mere dialogue, and make real progress.” The EU and China need to take this anniversary as an opportunity to rebalance the relationship, built on fairness and reciprocity. The structured dialogues upcoming in the next few months, such as the EU-China Human Rights High-level Dialogue, the EU-China Strategic Dialogue and the EU-China Summit must be used to achieve real progress that could lay a firm foundation for a strong and mutually beneficial relation in the future. Ambassador also stressed the global responsibility held by the EU and China: “We need to find joint solutions to shared challenges and to deepen our engagement and cooperation in the interest of regional and global security, prosperity and sustainable development.” He stressed that the EU and China must defend multilateralism with the UN at its core and uphold the UN Charter, namely by influencing Russia towards the cease of the military aggression against Ukraine.

The Director General for European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Li Jian also participated in the opening of the conference. In his address, Mr Li Jian reflected on the history of cooperation between the EU and China, hoping that the two sides can strengthen their strategic alignment to promote mutual reinforcement of Chinese-style modernization and European integration for common development. Mr Li Jian concluded his remarks wishing that the EU and China can move forward steadily and make greater contributions to peace, prosperity and global development. 

The keynote speaker, Mr Michel Barnier – Former Prime Minister of France, former EU Commissioner, and former Chief EU Brexit Negotiator – offered insights into the dynamics of EU-China relations. Mr Barnier provided an overview of the European context and reminded that the EU is a peace project. Europeans keep engaging constructively with China and maintaining people-to-people exchanges.  He believes that the EU and China need engage with respect and seek more understandings. 

The conference featured a range of panels, with the morning session focusing on multilateralism and multipolarity in EU-China engagement. Afternoon panels reflected on the challenges and imbalances of trade relations, responsibilities in the context of development cooperation, good practices of green cooperation, and the significance of Geographical Indications (GIs) within the broader context of intellectual property (IP) protection.
Following the discussions, guests attended a reception providing the chance to taste beverages and food products covered by the EU-China Agreement on protection of geographical indications.

Additionally, the event also featured an exhibition of EU-funded projects highlighting EU’s investment in strengthening its relations with China. Projects presented include: China IP SME Helpdesk; EU-China Circular Economy Action Project; EU-China Dialogue on Migration and Mobility; EU Policy, Culture and Outreach Partnership in China (EUPOP China); EU SME Centre; Improving China's Institutional Capacity towards Universal Social Protection; IP Key China; Safe non-food consumer products in the EU & China; Seconded European Standardization Expert for China; EU-China Agreement on Geographical Indications. 

For more information on the programme and event details, please visit: 
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/china/conference-50-years-eu-china-relations_en?s=166