Editor's note: Imran Khalid, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a freelance columnist on international affairs. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, is on a crucial visit to China from October 12 to 14. This visit promises to catalyze a harmonious dialogue between Beijing and Brussels, designed to tackle the challenges impeding the Sino-European economic and trade relations.

Borrell's previous attempts to visit China were regrettably hindered by unforeseen circumstances. In April, his trip was thwarted when he tested positive for COVID-19. Now, Borrell's visit arrives against the backdrop of the EU's recent initiation of an inquiry into China's subsidies for electric vehicle manufacturers, claiming that these subsidies have been instrumental in stabilizing the cost of Chinese electric vehicles on the European market. In this context, the hope is that Borrell, whose approach to EU-China policy is generally marked by pragmatism, will seize the opportunity to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of China during his visit. His unique position as a pragmatic player in EU-China affairs makes him a potential bridge builder, capable of guiding EU policymakers away from costly strategic errors.

This holds paramount significance given the multifaceted nature of China's role within the EU's various domains, such as trade and environmental efforts, particularly in addressing climate change. Rather than portraying China as a threat, it is crucial to recognize the symbiotic partnership that the European Union and China share in these areas, which promises mutual benefits and global stability.

The consistent dialogue between China and the European Union in recent months, notwithstanding their divergences, underscores their genuine commitment to resolving bilateral conflicts rather than allowing these discrepancies to dominate their relationship. This demonstrates a shared determination to approach their differences with pragmatism and diplomacy. Both parties recognize the United States' attempts to exploit these distinctions, potentially driving a wedge between them. They are also cognizant of the severe consequences that "de-risking," a euphemism for "decoupling," could inflict upon their intertwined economies.

Moreover, China and the EU share an understanding of the vast web of common interests that binds them, eclipsing the comparatively minor areas of disagreement. This comprehension reinforces their resolve to forge a path of cooperation and mutual benefit, rather than succumbing to division. Both sides have initiated collaborative efforts to revive strategic dialogues across multiple domains, positioning themselves for an impending summit between top Chinese and EU leaders later this year. This indicates a commitment to sustaining the vitality of China-EU high-level interactions, despite sporadic pauses in the narrative.

The 10th China-EU High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue held in the last week of September stands as a lucid example of the power of candid discussions in fostering constructive solutions and promoting a positive outcome amidst contentious issues. These discussions covered a wide array of topics, from investment and trade to industrial and supply chain matters, and delved into the realm of financial cooperation. The result was the emergence of multiple consensuses. The discussions served as a manifestation of the shared commitment to cooperation between China and the EU, in the face of various differences on certain policy issues.

In this vein, both sides reached an agreement to pursue ongoing talks aimed at establishing a China-EU transparency mechanism for raw material supply chains. Moreover, a significant step forward was taken as the two parties jointly decided to establish a dialogue mechanism centered on export control.

In recent times, the deepening interactions between China and the EU have injected a sense of optimism into their bilateral relations. However, there has been a notable uptick in the EU's inclination to invoke the term "security" within the economic arena. Last Friday's informal gathering of EU heads of state and government in Spain seriously broached the topics pertaining to the trade relations with China and expressed certain reservations. This tendency to broadly apply the "economic security" concept in the EU's policymaking runs the risk of unleashing an array of unintended repercussions. This approach could precipitate a lose-lose situation for both the Chinese and European sides. Furthermore, it may exacerbate existing internal rifts within the EU, spanning across member states and different social strata.

Finding the right balance in this dynamic partnership is essential to a mutually beneficial future. Borrell's visit is anticipated to assist in clarifying the perplexities and misapprehensions regarding this issue. In an intriguing paradox, the divergence between China and the EU – emanating from their varying development stages, economic frameworks and political systems – serves as the very source of their economic synergy.

These differences, far from being stumbling blocks, have historically fueled a process of cross-cultural learning and civilizational exchanges. There is no reason why these divergences should thwart their cooperative spirit at present. In fact, these differences, when approached with an open mind, can become catalysts for even deeper mutual learning and collaboration, marking a promising avenue for the future. At this juncture, Borrell's visit to China possesses the potential to ignite a transformative spark in Sino-European relations, steering them towards a more positive trajectory.

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