China and the EU reaffirm their mutual benefit and win-win determination to set the tone for cooperation in the post-epidemic era

　　China Daily Online Review: China and Europe Reaffirm Mutual Benefit and Win-Win Determination to Set the Tone of Cooperation in the Post-Epidemic Era

On the night of September 14, Chinese leaders held a video meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President of the European Council and President of the European Commission von der Lein in Beijing. Both China and the EU reiterated their determination and confidence in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, setting the tone for cooperation in the post-epidemic era.

For some time, the United States has ignored international obligations and international norms and has become the greatest disruptor of the international order. The United States government continues to undermine the international community’s efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, climate change issues, and contain the new corona epidemic, and has frequently discredited China in recent times. In stark contrast, the EU has pledged to cooperate with China to jointly safeguard multilateral agreements.

Although the EU and China have differences on certain issues, the EU and its member states do not want to get involved in the Sino-US conflict and are not willing to repeat the Cold War.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. During these years, the two sides have established a solid relationship. EU leaders and member governments have repeatedly reiterated that China remains an important economic partner and is ready to cooperate fully with China on matters of mutual concern.

China and the EU are important trading partners for each other. In addition to the booming economic relationship, the two sides are also working together to safeguard multilateralism, free trade, fairer global governance and take concrete actions to avoid the looming threat of existence caused by runaway climate change. During the epidemic, China and the EU helped each other, and the mutual trust established by the two sides over the past 45 years has deepened even further.

In this context, Chinese leaders held a video meeting with EU leaders on the evening of the 14th. Through this meeting, China and the EU have strengthened cooperation to inject more positive energy into the international community to combat the epidemic, restore the economy and maintain justice.

In recent months, the EU’s two main trading partners, the United States and China, have become increasingly divided. Since the purpose of the US government is to contain China, the EU has reason enough not to join it.

Affected by the epidemic, the EU economy contracted by 2.5% and 14% in the first and second quarters of this year. After contracting 6.8% in the first quarter, China’s economy grew 3.2% year-on-year in the second quarter, while still vigorously controlling the epidemic. China is clearly a partner that the EU cannot ignore. The Sino-European economic relationship provides both sides with an impetus to speed up bilateral investment negotiations and also helps reduce confidence deficits.

For some time, the United States government has been rampant, greatly undermining the confidence of the international community. Strengthening China-EU cooperation will greatly promote the development of global supply chains and the world economy, and strengthen trust in other regions of the world.