China-EU relations are multifaceted and of mutual benefit to both sides, said Liu Jiandong, chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU.
Taking the Piraeus Port project in Greece as an example, Liu said in an interview with China Global Television Network that cooperation and partnership are the main themes of China-EU relations.
"China-EU relations are fundamentally defined by mutual benefits and win-win cooperation. There is no single label that can capture this multifaceted and important partnership. First, China-EU relations are defined by partnership. Over 80 percent of Chinese firms operating in Europe prioritize the EU as a key market, hoping to build solid partnerships. A prime example is COSCO's Piraeus Port. Following the investment and operation by Chinese enterprises, the throughput of the entire port has reached the second place in the entire Mediterranean region, a very high and rapid increase. It also provides 12,000 jobs for the local people. From this perspective, the Greek government proposed that this is a good model of China-Europe cooperation, and a very good relationship of mutual growth between partners," Liu said.
Liu also said that healthy competition is conducive to the overall development of ties, citing the electrical vehicle (EV) industry as an example.
"Second, healthy competition drives development. Competition is not just about how to distribute benefits, but more importantly, it is conducive to innovation and development. Take EVs, for example. Chinese EV companies are indeed expanding into the European market, accounting for eight percent of the market there. This result is driven by consumer choices, indicating that Chinese EVs are helpful to them. Chinese EV companies are also stepping up investment in Europe in all aspects. For example, NIO has established a research and development center in Munich, with 80 percent of engineers being locally hired. Investment in research and development stands at 6.2 percent of the total each year, far higher than the industrial average. This shows how Chinese companies are hoping to not just grow their businesses, but also to drive technical improvements through competition," he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday morning.
The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People as the two European Union (EU) leaders are in China to attend the 25th China-EU Summit.
Win-win cooperation, partnership main theme of China-EU relations: expert
