10 December 2025
Welcome to China-EU dynamics! In this edition, we spotlight recent high-level exchanges between China and Europe, review the dialogues and events hosted by our Mission to deepen mutual understanding and friendship, and explore broader prospects for China-EU cooperation. Enjoy reading!
President Xi Jinping Met with King Felipe VI of Spain
On November 12, 2025, President Xi Jinping met with King Felipe VI of Spain, who is on a state visit to China.
President Xi underscored that China stands ready to work with Spain to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership with greater strategic determination, dynamism and global influence. It is important for the two sides to continue supporting each other firmly, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic guidance, and ensure that the bilateral relationship always advances along the right path. China will extend the visa-free policy to Spain to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and bring the two peoples closer. China stands ready to work with Spain to support the U.N. in playing a central role in international affairs, safeguard the rules of free trade and the international economic and trade order, and make global governance more just and equitable, for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
King Felipe VI said that the Spanish government is firmly committed to the one-China policy, supports China in safeguarding its territorial integrity. Spain is willing to maintain close exchanges with China in order to seize the important opportunities presented by China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. He appreciated China for extending the visa-free policy, and expressed the readiness to strengthen cultural, linguistic and tourism exchanges. Spain highly appreciates the four major Global Initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and is going to work with China to respond to uncertainties in the international situation with a view to upholding international trade order and promoting the steady development of the global economy.
President Xi Jinping Met with French President Emmanuel Macron
President Xi Jinping held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to China. They jointly met the press after their talks.
President Xi pointed out that China and France are independent, visionary and responsible major countries and constructive forces working to foster a multipolar world and promote solidarity and cooperation among humanity.
The exchanges and cooperation between China and Europe over the past 50 years have been mutually beneficial and have contributed to each other’s success. China and Europe should stay committed to partnership, pursue cooperation with an open mind, and ensure that China-Europe relations develop along the right track of independence and mutually beneficial cooperation.
President Macron noted that France firmly upholds the one-China policy and is willing to continue deepening the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership. France is pleased to see the dynamism of the Chinese economy that promotes openness and cooperation and has brought more opportunities to the world.
France is committed to promoting the sound and steady development of Europe-China relations. It believes that Europe and China should uphold dialogue and cooperation, and Europe should achieve strategic autonomy. France fully agrees with President Xi Jinping’s views on reforming and improving global governance and promoting a more balanced global economy. It stands ready to work with China to strengthen coordination, jointly shoulder the due responsibilities of major countries, uphold multilateralism, and enhance cooperation in areas such as climate response, biodiversity conservation, and AI governance, so as to contribute to world peace and prosperity.
China and France issued five joint statements:
1️⃣ on enhancing global governance
2️⃣ on cooperation in addressing global climate and environmental challenges
3️⃣ on further cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
4️⃣ on exchanges and cooperation in agriculture and food
5️⃣ on the situation on Ukraine and the situation on Palestine
Premier Li Qiang Met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
On November 22, 2025, Premier Li Qiang met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Johannesburg.
Li stated that China is ready to work with Italy to continuously advance two-way opening up, enhance connectivity and alignment in markets, industries and related areas, and promote balanced and optimized development of bilateral trade. Li expressed the hope that the Italian side will provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Italy. China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Italy within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the G20, build broader consensus and reinforce the international community's confidence and resolve in practicing multilateralism and consolidating multilateral mechanisms.
Giorgia Meloni said that Italy welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, and encourages Italian companies to continue investing in China. Italy is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on multilateral platforms and jointly uphold multilateralism.
Premier Li Qiang Met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
On November 23, 2025, Premier Li Qiang met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Johannesburg.
Li said that in China-Germany relations, mutual respect is the principle, and win-win cooperation is the defining feature. China and Germany are each other's important economic and trade partners. Li expressed the hope that Germany will maintain a rational and pragmatic policy towards China, steer clear of interference and pressures, focus on common interests, and consolidate the foundation for cooperation.
Li expressed the hope that Germany will encourage the EU to view China-EU relations from a longer-term perspective, with a broader vision and a more open mindset, uphold its partnership with China, enhance dialogue and cooperation between the two sides, and jointly advance the development and prosperity of China and the EU.
Merz said that Germany and China have long been important economic and trade partners for each other, with highly complementary economies. Germany attaches importance to developing relations with China and believes that China's 15th Five-Year Plan will bring opportunities to both Germany and the EU. Germany is also willing to play a constructive role in promoting EU-China dialogue.
China's New Blueprint Heralds Fresh Opportunities for China-EU Cooperation
▶️ The First Event of the “China Briefing” Series held in Brussels
On 19 November 2025, the Chinese Mission to the EU held the first event of the “China Briefing” Series in Brussels. Mr. Miao Wei, Member of the National Committee of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs, was invited to deliver a keynote presentation on the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and China’s development prospects. Ambassador Cai Run presided over the event.
Vice Chairman Miao gave all-around review of China’s major achievements in economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, offered an in-depth analysis of the historical context, policy objectives, and key policy measures for the 15th Five-Year Plan, and elaborated on China’s promising development outlook. He also shared his profound perspectives on strengthening China-EU cooperation.
Ambassador Cai Run highlighted that the launch of the “China Briefing” Series aims to present China’s development, domestic and foreign policies, and China-EU relations from multiple perspectives. He expressed the hope that this initiative will serve as a new platform for European friends to gain deeper insights into China and the China-EU relations.
▶️Briefing Seminar on the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee
On 28 November 2025, the Chinese Mission to the EU held a seminar at which Ambassador Cai Run briefed participants on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He also shared new opportunities for China-EU cooperation in light of the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development.
Ambassador Cai noted that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will further deepen reform comprehensively, promote high-quality development, steadfastly advance high-standard opening-up, and continue to share opportunities and pursue common development with countries around the world, including European nations. He also elaborated on the Global Governance Initiative, noting that China and the EU are both constructive forces that uphold multilateralism and advocate openness and cooperation.
▶️Ambassador Cai Run's Op-Ed: China's New Blueprint Heralds Fresh Opportunities for China-EU Cooperation
🔸First, carrying out the set blueprint until it becomes reality to ensure policy consistency and stability.
🔸Second, focusing on high-quality development to comprehensively consolidate the foundation for future progress.
🔸Third, expanding high-standard opening-up to share opportunities through win-win cooperation.
Broader prospects for China-EU cooperation: Standing at the new starting point of the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, China is ready to work with the EU to seize opportunities, address challenges, advance practical cooperation in various fields, and contribute more strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The 13th China-Europe Forum
On 13 November 2025, the Chinese Mission to the EU, Friends of Europe, and the China Public Diplomacy Association jointly hosted the 13th China-Europe Forum in Brussels. Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, attended and addressed the event. Under the theme “Strengthening Cooperation: China-EU Relations as a Source of Stability and Certainty”, the forum focused on dialogue and cooperation between China and the EU.
In his address, Ambassador Cai Run noted that the development of China-EU relations carries greater strategic significance and global impact. He underscored the need for both sides to take the important consensus reached by their leaders as guidance and keep China-EU relations stay on the right course; respect each other’s core interests and major concerns; properly manage economic and trade differences and frictions; and jointly practice multilateralism, so as to promote the healthy and steady development of China-EU relations. He also briefed participants on the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the Global Governance Initiative.
The forum featured an open and friendly atmosphere, with participants from both sides actively raising questions and engaging in lively exchanges, further enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.
The One-China Principle is Unshakable
▶️ Foreign Minister Wang Yi:
It is shocking for a sitting Japanese leader to openly send the wrong signal of attempting to intervene militarily in the Taiwan question, saying what should not be said and crossing a red line that must not be crossed.
China must respond with resolve—not merely to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but to protect the hard-won post-WWII order secured through blood and sacrifice, and to uphold international justice and our common humanity.
The Japanese government has made solemn commitments regarding the Taiwan question in the four political documents between China and Japan. These are binding commitments under international law, and there is no room for ambiguity or misrepresentation.
Whichever political party or person holding power in Japan must abide by these commitments. Just as a person without credibility can’t establish himself in society, a country without credibility will have no standing in the community of nations. China urges Japan to do serious soul-searching and correct its wrongdoing at an early date, and stop pursuing its misguided course.
▶️ MFA Spokesperson:
We urge the Japanese side to reflect on and correct its wrongdoing, and retract Prime Minister Takaichi’s erroneous remarks on Taiwan. The facts and Japan’s commitments are written down in black and white in historical records. “No change to the position” is far from adequate and certainly unacceptable as a response to China.
▶️Ambassador Cai Run's Op-Ed: UNGA Resolution 2758 brooks no challenge
In his op-ed, Ambassador Cai emphasized that
🔸UNGA Resolution 2758 is fully backed by historical facts and legal evidence.
🔸UNGA Resolution 2758 solemnly confirms and fully embodies the one-China principle.
🔸UNGA Resolution 2758 effectively makes the one-China principle a prevailing consensus in the international community.
He also noted that Both China and Europe are staunch defenders of multilateralism. There are valuable experiences in many aspects that can be drawn from the past 50 years of China-EU relations. The key is to respect each other's core interests and major concerns. We hope that the European Union could earnestly abide by the one-China principle, work with the Chinese side to jointly promote the sound and stable development of China-EU relations, and defend the outcomes of the victory of World War II and the post-war international order.
China's door opening even wider to the world 🌏
China has decided to extend its visa-free policy to December 31, 2026, and has added Sweden to the visa-free scheme effective from November 10, 2025 to December 31, 2026.
Experts Corner
Echoes of great civilizations
China and Europe are both committed to multilateralism, climate action and global economic stability.
By Andrea Caligiuri, associate professor of international law at the Department of Law and a senior research fellow at the China Center at the University of Macerata, Italy.
▶️Western legal frameworks, shaped over centuries of European tradition, prioritize universal legal norms enforced through courts, sanctions or peacekeeping. They often link intervention to human rights, democracy or global standardization. These frameworks heavily rely on hierarchical decision-making within institutions, in which powerful states hold disproportionate influence. They also separate law from culture and soft power, emphasizing formal procedures over dialogue. In contrast, China integrates diplomacy, mediation and cultural engagement into its legal philosophy. China favors negotiation and consensus-building over judicial enforcement and intervention, adapting principles to regional and cultural contexts rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach. China's diplomatic style vividly illustrates these differences.
▶️It should be noted, more generally, that the relationship between China and Europe is not defined by irreconcilable conflicts of interest. On the contrary, both parties are committed to multilateralism, climate action and global economic stability. Furthermore, they share a mutual interest in resolving international disputes peacefully and recognize the benefits of a deeply interconnected global economy.
▶️Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and mutual distrust in economic and trade relations, China and Europe, two major civilizations that champion diversity, should strengthen cultural exchanges to build mutual understanding. Such exchanges help consolidate trust and lay the groundwork for closer political, economic and diplomatic cooperation, paving the way for a multipolar world.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of China or our Mission, except those from the official website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, our Mission and other Chinese governmental websites.
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