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Charles Michel's visit an opportunity to cement China-EU ties: expert
Wang Mengjie
02:22

European Council President Charles Michel's visit to Beijing is yet another sign of Chinese and European leaders stepping up relations in recent months.

"The visit is going to provide an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views in terms of how the two sides can work together to effectively combat the challenges that both sides are facing and the world is facing," said Li Yong, a senior fellow at China Association of International Trade.

With trade cooperation being highlighted during the visit, Li believes the most important thing for both sides is to grasp the opportunities for economic transformation.

"Europe is undergoing green transformation and digital transformation that is complementary to what China has been doing," Li told CGTN, adding that there will be a lot of opportunities for cooperation in those areas. 

Both sides can explore opportunities for cooperation in moving forward the climate change agenda and working together to develop climate change-related trade and investment, said Li.

Official data shows China's trade with the EU in 2021 amounted to about $828 billion, a 27 percent year-on-year increase.

China remained the EU's largest trading partner in 2021, while the EU was China's second-largest trading partner.

"China and the EU have the common interest in maintaining the order of globalization, multilateralism, free trade and investment, and all of those are the important foundations for the two sides to work together and move forward," Li said.

He said China will continue improving its business environment to ensure foreign companies receive fair treatment.

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