China-EU Ambassadors' Forum and Release of Bluebook of Europe 2008-2009

The "China-EU Ambassadors' Forum and Release of Bluebook of Europe (2008-2009)" hosted by the Institute of European Studies (IES) of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Chinese Association for European Studies and Social Sciences Academic Press (China) was convened on February 24 2009. More than 100 experts from China's research institutions, universities and related government departments participated in the Forum. In addition, around 20 ambassadors and officials from the EU Delegation and embassies of the EU member states in China were present at the Forum. At the morning session, Prof. Chen Jiagui, Vice President of CASS, Mr. Xie Shouguang, President of the Social Sciences Academic Press (China), Mr. Cheng Siwei, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the ambassadors of the EU "Troika" and Mr. Mei Zhaorong, China's former ambassador to Germany, respectively delivered speeches on the latest development of the EU and on China-Europe relations.

Prof. Chen Jiagui stressed in the welcome speech that the China-EU Ambassadors' Forum is not only an important part of the academic activities of China's European studies, but a significant forum for dialogues between Chinese and European counterparts. After reviewing the 30 years' development of the bilateral relations, he pointed out that the significance of the China-Europe relations lies principally in three aspects. Firstly, a comprehensive strategic partnership has been built up based on the economic and trade relations. Secondly, mechanisms of dialogue have been established covering a wide range of fields including economy and trade, politics, law and culture. And thirdly, both sides have benefited a lot from the development of the bilateral relations. A high degree of complementarity exists between China and Europe, which has become the foundation and driving force of the further deepening of the bilateral relations. A model of mutual respect and trust, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation has been formed in the bilateral relations. In the speech by Mr. Xie Shouguang, he put forward that the EU, with its unique political, economic, military and civilian powers, is exerting more and more important roles in the international arena and the strategic significance of the EU-China relations becomes more obvious in the world pattern. In this context, the publication of the Bluebook of Europe has made contribution to enhancement of the mutual understandings and the multi-level exchanges between China and Europe.  Mr. Cheng Siwei in his speech confirmed the latest development of China-Europe relations and expressed his higher expectations to the role of the China-EU Ambassadors' Forum in promoting the exchanges between China and Europe and the further development of the bilateral relations. He pointed out that although difficulties and setbacks emerged in the bilateral relations in 2008, in particular the adverse attitudes and behaviours of a few European leaders towards China concerning the Tibet issue and human rights which affected negatively the mutually political trust between the two sides, generally speaking, a number of successes have been achieved. We still hold confidence in the future of the bilateral relations because common interests have been expanded and the common responsibility enhanced between the two sides. Only if both sides insist on a spirit of mutual trust, mutual respect, equality and reciprocity, can the bilateral relations progress sustainably.

Ambassador H.E. Mr. Vitezslav Grepl of the Embassy of Czech Republic, the then presiding member state of the EU Council, chiefly gave an overview of the achievements of the European integration after the Middle and East European countries joined the EU and made an introduction of the major work during the Czech presidency. He pointed out that the three priorities of the EU can be summarized as three "Es": economy, energy and the role of the EU in the world. He emphasized that China-Europe relations have a global significance and that the aim of the EU is to strengthen its relations with China based on equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. Ambassador Mikael Lindstrom of Sweden, the next president country of the EU Council, after briefly introducing Sweden's priorities as the rotating president of the EU, stressed the most sailent feature of the EU's development, that is, the soft power of the EU. First, the EU is famous for its "peace project" and has achieved a lot in peaceful development and played a significant role in welfare system. Secondly, the relationship between corporations and society is also an indication of the EU's soft power. Thirdly, in the field of culture, the EU's soft power is manifest in its inclusion of cultural differences. Ambassador Serge Abou of EU Delegation in China introduced the achievements of the EU in 2008, in particular the contributions of the EU's soft power to world peach and stability, putting an emphasis on the Euro's success and the construction of the welfare system that make the EU develop soundly in the financial crisis. As to China-Europe relations, he stressed that the fundamental interests of the EU are linked with the success, stability and prosperity of China. The EU is willing to see China's success and hope China will exert greater roles in world affairs.

  Mr. Mei Zhaorong, former Chinese ambassador to Germany, pointed out that China-European relations should be treated with a strategic vision and that both sides should respect each other's core interests. That is to say, firstly, we should treat China-European relations with a long-term, historical and global vision. Secondly, we must take seriously and respect the core interests of the other side, including mainly sovereignty, territorial integrity and state unity. Thirdly, we should insist on principles like mutual respect, non-interference of internal affairs, win-win cooperation and abandon the cold-war thinking defining relationships between different countries by ideologies and values. Finally, Mr. Mei Zhaorong stressed that he believes that the future of China-European relations is bright despite the existing problems if both China and Europe can take joint efforts to promote the bilateral relations.

The participants also made deep-going discussions at the afternoon session on issues including the EU in the financial crisis, the development of European integration, situations of major European countries and their Chinese policies.