Deeper ties between Europe, China urged

Former European Council head calls for more stability amid global uncertainty

Charles Michel, former president of the European Council and a distinguished professor at the China Europe International Business School

As China and the European Union celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, the two sides should engage in a frank, transparent and respectful dialogue to deepen cooperation and to seek more stability, security, productivity and prosperity for their people, which is especially important given the rising global uncertainty and complexity, said Charles Michel, former president of the European Council.

Michel, also the former Belgian prime minister and a distinguished professor at the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai, made these comments in an interview with China Daily during his visit to Shanghai in early May.

Issues that are at the top of the agenda for the world now, including climate change and global health, require deeper cooperation between China and the EU. Changes regarding internet development and internet partnerships cannot be solved at the national level. China and the EU should come up with a new plan by taking into account their respective concerns and interests, and jointly address these challenges, he said.

The EU story is proof that joining forces can lead to great results, he added.

Michel emphasized that a trade war "is not the right option". On the contrary, those who attempted to launch a trade war could be affected by their own decisions. Additional tariffs or trade barriers would pose serious risks for everyone.

"This is not what we want. That is why we are always open to dialogue, to discuss and to identify what the concerns and legitimate interests are … Challenges can be resolved only through sincere and effective international cooperation. It is possible to make agreements where one plus one is more than two," he said.

As Michel understands, the world is now standing at a crossroads. Against this backdrop, the World Trade Organization has a fundamental role to play, he said, suggesting a reform of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism.

He also suggested that the European Investment Bank develop some financial tools to inject more finance into strategic sectors such as energy and digital infrastructure.

Through this process, the EU is willing to expand its influence to become a good partner with the rest of the world. The EU should also retain its strategic autonomy to develop its capabilities in defense and security, he added.

But Michel admitted China and the EU are "not always systematically on the same page", and that he never underestimates the differences between the two sides.

Sharing concerns

"Cooperating at the diplomatic and educational levels as well as sharing each other's concerns can lead to better mutual understanding," he said.

Speaking about the developments in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, concerns have been expressed in the EU that AI and big data are being misused by some. There has been manipulation of the emerging technologies, transforming them into instruments of dominance. Therefore, Michel stressed that sharing concerns and ideas on this front is crucial to ensure technologies can benefit the entire humanity.

On the ongoing talks between China and the EU regarding imports of electric vehicles, Michel hopes that acceptable solutions would be found based on the efforts made by both sides. A "sustainable and predictable legal framework" between China and the EU can benefit European companies in China, and vice versa, he said.

According to the General Administration of Customs, the bilateral trade between China and the EU reached 5.59 trillion yuan ($762 billion) in 2024, up 1.6 percent year-on-year. The EU continues to be China's second-largest trading partner, after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.