In 1975, Europe was impacted by the Cold War and China transitioned to reform and opening-up. In 1985, both sides signed an economic and trade cooperation agreement. In 2001, a comprehensive partnership was established, upgraded to a strategic one in 2003. In 2014, In 2014, President Xi Jinping made his first visit to the EU headquarters, proposing the construction of the four bridges between China and the EU: peace, growth, reform and civilisation. Since 1998, 24 China-EU Leaders' summits have been held, and over 70 dialogue mechanisms established. The China-EU relationship is a significant bilateral one globally, with no fundamental geopolitical security contradictions and a high degree of consensus on major strategic human development issues.
China and the EU are major markets that underpin globalization and key contributors to the global free trade system. Trade volume between the two sides has soared from $2.4 billion in the 1970s to $785.8 billion in 2024, with mutual investment rising to nearly $260 billion. In 2024, they are each other's second largest trading partners. Over 100,000 China-EU cargo trains now connect 227 cities in 25 European countries. Both agree on the central role of the WTO in promoting economic globalization and trade liberalization and share a common stance against economic bullying and trade protectionism.
China and Europe are committed to promoting multipolarity and upholding the UN's pivotal role in global affairs. They cooperate in multilateral platforms like the UN and G20, and maintain communication on issues such as the Ukrainian crisis, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the Iranian nuclear issue.
China and Europe, as major partners in global governance, are dedicated to collaborating with Southern countries to tackle global challenges like climate change, environmental protection, and public health. They share the goal of promoting the conclusion and implementation of the Paris Agreement and maintaining communication on significant issues such as digitalization and artificial intelligence to enhance the well-being of all humankind.
China and Europe, two civilizations advocating diversity, see their philosophies align. The Chinese concepts of "harmony in diversity" and "beauty in commonality" resonate with the EU's "unity in diversity." Currently, there is a growing level of people to people exchange between China and the EU. The two sides have jointly organized the China-EU Year of Culture and the Year of Tourism, and China's unilateral visa-free policy has benefited 24 EU member states.
To maintain and promote the healthy development of China-EU relations, it is crucial to tolerate differences. In 2019, the EU defined China as a partner, competitor, and systemic rival, reflecting the relationship's growing complexity. In 2021, the Comprehensive Investment Agreement (CIA), after 35 rounds of negotiations, was put on hold, and both sides imposed sanctions. Chinese and European academics have initiated a debate on the importance of economic cooperation in maintaining strong China-EU ties.
The latest developments are extremely positive. On May 6, 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Parliament announced the resumption of mutual exchanges and normal interactions between legislative bodies. This facilitates the reopening of the China-EU human rights dialogue and climate change cooperation. It is crucial for China and the EU to guide bilateral relations with a forward-looking vision, respecting each other's political and historical complexities and core interests, and resolving differences through constructive dialogue.
Hungary occupies a special place in this dynamic. Hungary is among the first countries to formally recognise and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. It was the first European country to sign an intergovernmental cooperation document on the construction of the 'Belt and Road' initiative with China. In 2017, China-Hungary bilateral relations were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership. In 2024, commemorating the 75th diplomatic anniversary, the relationship between China and Hungary has been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Hungary, strategically positioned as a bridge between Europe and China, promotes Europe's open and independent voice.
The author is Professor, Director of Center for European Studies, School of Political Science & International Relations at Tongji University