Fifty years ago, in 1975, China and the European Economic Community (now the EU) formalized their diplomatic relationship. Since then, this partnership has reshaped global trade, cultural diversity, and the vision of a multipolar world.
Over 24 high-level summits, nearly 40 human rights dialogues, and more than 1,100 sister-city or sister-province ties have woven a network of strategic and people-to-people connections across continents.
Trade and investment have soared from $2.4 billion to $780 billion, with two-way investment reaching $260 billion. In the first quarter of this year alone, bilateral trade hit 1.3 trillion yuan – over 10 million yuan every minute.
Infrastructure and innovation links include the China-Europe Railway Express's 100,000 'steel camel' journeys, 36-hour delivery of French oysters, one in three Volkswagen cars sold to Chinese buyers, and over 700 Airbus A320s from Tianjin's assembly line. Belgian Janssen pharmaceuticals' anti-cancer drugs are now covered by China's medical insurance.
Cultural exchange thrives with national culture years, more than ten Chinese cultural centres in European capitals, 30-day visa-free entry for 24 EU countries, and initiatives to host 10,000 French students in China while doubling European youth exchanges in three years.
Space exploration and tradition converge as Europe's science payloads on China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe and geographical indication agreements link West Lake Longjing tea with Bordeaux wine in a symbolic tea-and-wine dialogue.
As China advances its modernization path and the EU deepens integration, this 50-year voyage – anchored in mutual respect and openness – continues to evolve, spotlighting how diverse economies and civilizations can unite for shared prosperity and global progress.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
