China and the European Union held high-level talks in Beijing on Thursday, a timely move that experts say offers both sides a vital chance to clear misunderstandings, address mounting frictions and revive cooperation amid a complex and shifting global landscape.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and economic challenges, analysts view the meeting as a pivotal moment to chart the future course for China-EU relations – not only to advance mutual interests but also to contribute to wider global stability.

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Trade, trust at core

Trade issues featured prominently in the talks, with experts emphasizing that despite recent frictions, China and the EU remain deeply economically interdependent.

Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that economic and trade issues are currently the main source of tension in China-EU relations, as well as a crucial channel for managing friction between the two sides. Moreover, trade remains the internal driving force for China-EU development, especially in the face of external pressures from third parties such as the United States, Feng added.

He explained that the emergence of various problems does not mean trade is losing its importance for China and the EU; on the contrary, numerous cases of cooperation and supporting data have demonstrated its continued significance. Feng emphasized that if China and the EU hope to turn their willingness to cooperate into concrete joint actions, enhancing mutual trust is essential. However, he acknowledged that this is a long-term process.

He also noted that exerting pressure on China – such as public statements and sanctions made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before the summit – does little to help resolve issues between the two sides.

Liu Jiandong, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU, echoed this view. "Mutual benefit remains the foundation," he told CGTN. "Over 80 percent of Chinese companies operating in Europe see the EU as a long-term partner, not a competitor."

Climate cooperation sends powerful signal

One of the most widely praised outcomes of the summit was the signing of a joint statement on climate change, which reaffirmed both sides' commitment to accelerating climate action and maintaining policy consistency and stability amid global turbulence.

The statement underscored that the China-EU green partnership is an important part of the China-EU partnership, that green is the defining color of China-EU cooperation, and that the two sides have a solid foundation and broad space for cooperation in the field of green transition. Experts believe the two sides have built a solid foundation for collaboration in this area and share vast room for further progress.

"This is a moment the EU and China cannot afford to miss," said Ireland's former President Mary Robinson, a prominent voice in climate diplomacy, as quoted by Politico Europe. "EU-China climate cooperation can help steady markets, accelerate the clean energy transition and show that even in a moment of division, climate action remains one of the surest paths to resilience," she added.

Observers also noted the contrast with the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, with Politico saying the China-EU statement makes the U.S. look isolated and reckless.

"This joint statement from China and the European Union sends an important signal that climate cooperation can still rise above geopolitical tensions. Stronger climate leadership from these two major emitters is critically needed to rekindle global momentum after the U.S. stepped away from the Paris Agreement again," said David Waskow, international climate director at the World Resources Institute.

Dong Yifan, an associate research fellow at the Belt and Road Academy of Beijing Language and Culture University said that the joint statement is a major boost for global climate governance, particularly for countries in the Global South. At a time when climate contributions remain inadequate and responsibility imbalances persist, stronger China-EU leadership fills a critical gap left by the U.S. and signals their shared commitment to global public goods, he said.

Managing differences, embracing cooperation

Pascal Lamy, the former European Commissioner for Trade and the former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, acknowledged that significant disagreements remain between the two sides, especially regarding Ukraine crisis and China's economic model, which some in EU perceive as leading to overcapacity and export imbalances.

In his interview with CGTN, Lamy emphasized that despite differences, China and the EU share crucial common ground in defending multilateralism and cooperating on existential global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean protection.

On trade friction, Lamy proposed practical solutions to ease tensions that, if Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers produce within Europe, much like how EU firms localized production in China decades ago, it could help balance competition and benefit workers and consumers on both sides.

Citing examples like COSCO's revitalization of the Piraeus Port and the growing footprint of Chinese EV firms in Europe, Liu argued that healthy competition drives innovation, not division. "Chinese firms are not just investing, they're creating jobs, contributing to local R&D, and building a shared future."

Chairman Liu warned against over-politicizing competition. "Framing China-EU ties as purely 'systemic rivalry' risks undermining decades of cooperation," he said.

Strategic dialogue

Experts said the most significant takeaway from the summit lies in its strategic role in rebuilding trust, restoring direct communication, and clarifying long-term policy directions between China and the EU.

The meeting came at a critical moment for both sides to speak face-to-face and deliver clear, unfiltered messages, said Cui Hongjian, director of the Center for European Union and Regional Development Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

He noted that internal divergences within the EU over China policy have led to inconsistent signals, and that such high-level dialogue helps realign expectations and sharpen future policymaking.

Cui added that as the two sides mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China is seeking to steer the relationship back toward its cooperative mainstream and lay the foundation for the next 50 years.

"On one hand, we need a clear strategic direction. On the other, we also need institutionalized, regular communication on specific and practical issues," he said. "Only by advancing on both fronts can we ensure the long-term stability and predictability of China-EU relations."

Feng also emphasized that high-level engagement remains the most effective way to address complex challenges and bridge perception gaps. He underscored that China-EU cooperation aligns with the core interests of both sides, holds global significance, and provides much-needed certainty in an uncertain world.

Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, echoed this view, noting that China-EU ties go beyond bilateral concerns. "This relationship plays a critical role in safeguarding international law and order, and in upholding a multilateral system centered on the United Nations," he said.