European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are set to visit China on Thursday for the 2025 China-EU Summit in Beijing.

According to a statement from the EU Council, the summit will focus on the current state of China-EU relations and pressing global geopolitical challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

Leaders from both sides are expected to explore ways to build a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship, while also discussing shared interests such as climate change, biodiversity, and the green transition. The EU will also advocate for defending multilateralism and the rules-based international order.

China confident to resolve differences

This year's summit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU. It also takes place amid rising global trade tensions and growing geopolitical uncertainty.

Currently, China-EU relations face a number of headwinds, including disputes over tariffs on electric vehicles, restrictions on medical equipment procurement, export controls, and the EU's "de-risking" strategy to reduce its reliance on China.

Despite these challenges, experts believe there remains substantial common ground between the two sides. Many view the summit as a chance to manage differences, rebuild trust, and reaffirm shared commitments.

In a press release issued Friday, Costa described the summit as an important opportunity for high-level engagement and frank, constructive dialogue on critical issues.

"We want dialogue, real engagement, and concrete progress. We aim for a fair, balanced relationship that delivers for both sides," Costa said.

At a press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed confidence in the resilience of China-EU relations. He noted that after 50 years of development, the two sides have accumulated enough experience and positivity, enabling them to navigate difficulties and challenges in an ever-changing world.

Great cooperation potential

China and the EU together represent two major pillars of the global economy. They account for nearly 30 percent of global trade in goods and services and more than one-third of global GDP. Over the past five decades, bilateral trade has grown from just $2.4 billion to $780 billion, while investment flows have expanded from nearly zero to almost $260 billion, according to Chinese official data.

The economic relationship has been marked by strong complementarity. In sectors such as automotive and luxury goods, Europe brings design excellence, regulatory expertise, and technological innovation, while China offers high-quality manufacturing, skilled labor, and a large, dynamic consumer base. The synergy has generated jobs, revitalized industries, and fueled global growth.

The two sides also have great cooperation potential in sectors such as AI, digital economy and green transformation. For example, China plays a leading role in green technology, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure – areas closely aligned with the EU's goals for carbon neutrality and digital transformation.

Furthermore, with over 400 million middle-income earners, China has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing consumer markets. According to the Rhodium Group, China's consumption growth over the past two decades has outpaced that of economies with similar GDP per capita.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Cai Run, head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, said that economic and trade cooperation continues to serve as a stabilizer and driver of China-EU relations. He acknowledged that given the scale and complexity of bilateral ties, some friction is inevitable, but emphasized the importance of resolving differences with "political sincerity and strategic determination."

"Cooperation between China and the EU far outweighs competition, and consensus outweighs differences. We are partners, not rivals, let alone enemies," Cai stated.

He urged the EU to adopt a more objective and pragmatic view of China, calling for a positive, forward-looking approach to relations. "China is ready to work with the EU to seize cooperation opportunities and properly manage differences to achieve a stable relationship that not only promotes mutual achievements, but also illuminates the world," he said.