[Commentary] A few days ago, the China-EU leaders' meeting was held by video.
The outside world believes that both China and the EU are working towards the direction of stable development of bilateral relations.
With the addition of new variables such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, will China-EU relations usher in a new "decisive moment"?
China News Agency's "East-West Question·China Dialogue" invited Joerg Wuttke, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, to talk to Wang Yiwei, director of the European Union Research Center of Renmin University of China and the EU "Jean Monet" Chair Professor, and give answers.
[Explanation] Woodker said that the current epidemic has blocked many international routes, the tourism industry has been cold, and the service industry has been severely hit, but most European companies are operating smoothly in China.
[Concurrent] Woodke, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
Europeans buy about 1.3 billion euros of goods from China every day, showing the quality and competitiveness of Chinese products.
Although the epidemic has hit the supply chain, it can be called a miracle that shipments have remained good and continue.
China is the market of the future, there is no doubt about that, and we will continue to invest in China.
[Concurrent] Wang Yiwei, Director of the European Union Research Center of Renmin University of China and the European Union "Jean Monet" Chair Professor
It used to be produced in China and consumed in Western markets in Europe and the United States. This is the original model.
So today, China is also expanding domestic demand, (promoting international and domestic) dual circulation, but in the process of China moving from the original low-end industrial chain to the mid-to-high end, China has the potential to release huge new consumption, not only the potential of production.
Europe is now affected by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the sanctions themselves, so a larger market is very much needed to boost the confidence of the European market.
[Commentary] Some voices believe that after the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the world may once again fall into the danger of a "Cold War-style" confrontation between the two camps, and a new "decisive" moment will appear in China-EU relations.
Wang Yiwei did not fully agree with this.
[Concurrent] Wang Yiwei, Director of the European Union Research Center of Renmin University of China and the European Union "Jean Monet" Chair Professor
The main contradiction that determines this moment is the United States. We all know that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is largely instigated by the United States, which is to subvert the post-war international order. This is the main challenge facing both China and the European Union.
So in the face of such uncertain events, there has been no major change in a century, especially when the United States wants to destroy such globalization and international order, Sino-European cooperation is very important. If Europe is led astray by the Americans, it will fall into a kind of The so-called new Cold War narrative makes the world even more dangerous.
[Explanation] Woodke believes that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is a "hot war" on the European border, and its spillover effect has a huge impact on Europe.
Relevant sanctions not only severely hit the Russian economy, but also negatively affect Europe itself.
In this context, Europe wants to deal with China well.
[Explanation] Talking about how EU-China cooperation should move forward, Woodke believes that it is necessary to find areas where EU-China cooperation can deepen, such as climate change.
He pointed out that in the next 30 years, China's development will be strong, and European companies will increase their investment in China.
[Concurrent] Woodke, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
Our research with the World Bank last September showed that China has three development drivers.
All three drivers point to a strong growth pattern in China until 2050.
In all our assessments, the amount of investment in China is irreplaceable by any other country.
They (European companies) will invest more, no doubt about that.
Reporter Liu Chao, Pang Wuji and Li Shuoxing report in Beijing
Responsible editor: [Li Ji]