The X8153 China-Europe freight train departs from Xi'an international port station in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, heading west to Europe on July 4, 2025. Photo: VCG

China and the European Union (EU) both have an interest in open markets, world-based multilateral trade system. Amid the growing global uncertainties including the US tariffs, we have to warn against arbitrary measures, sanctions and political restrictions for economic exchange. Indeed, both China and the EU have to work together to make the system global and transparent, not too many political interference on the market affairs, it is a common concern that must be overcome with endeavor. 

Discussing the potential of China-Europe cooperation and the progress made in advancing sustainable development, green collaboration remains a key focus for both sides.

We both have decided strategically to go for green development. China has been leading the eco-civilization principle, and Europe has done the European Green Deal, so like a political and economic framework for making greener products, greener services, greener product chain and consumption chain. 

Both partners can profit from each other. Europe is sophisticated in technologies; China as well has promoted a lot of technological innovations for green issues and green products. We [China and the EU] have to give a message to the world that this sustainable development is made from what, other countries on the continents should join our efforts towards a greener future. 

Humanity needs new paradigm for economic activities, we have to learn to be energy-efficient, resource-efficient, working for a circular economy. China and Europe are close leaders in new ways of building sustainable development and sustainable economy. The World Green Design Organization is a wonderful fundamental platform to join experiences and forces in order to achieve very important essential goals. 

Jo Leinen, former chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with China, Honorary President of World Green Design Organization WGDO, attends an exclusive interview with the Global Times. Photo: Courtesy of WGDO

Pleased to see that China has incorporated the building of eco-environmental development into a five-sphere integrated plan to promote coordinated economic development. We are moving toward a sustainable system. And you have seen that the EU as well has made a lot of efforts in recent years, through the European Green Deal, not only focusing on the energy system, transport system, building system, and the agricultural and forestry system.

From the European side, they want to have more simplicity for accesses to markets, Chinese companies have access to EU markets, European companies are the same, they crave for accesses to the Chinese market. 

Both parties have to seek and guard new balances in trade relationships. One side is flooding the market with goods so that the other market is suffering like a big ship, but it is an issue that can be solved with good reason, it requires further good cooperation between China and Europe. 

Chinese products are very competitive. That's a good thing because consumers benefit from low prices and good quality. The problem is, if a market is overturned too quickly, it leads to social issues like unemployment and economic problems due to imbalanced economic relations. That's why this must always be discussed and addressed within a renewed bilateral framework.

Beyond green cooperation, we enjoy the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU in this year. Just from June 30 to July 6, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi visited the EU Headquarters and hold the 13th round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue.

On economics, companies on both sides are still enjoying the trades and investments. Despite remaining differences at the political level, it is important to recognize that politics and economics are not always aligned. 

While China and the EU have a few delicate issues to solve, both parties should work for a world-based, multilateral trade system, not having arbitrary measures to undermine the import and export of goods and services. 

In the first half of this year, China's trade with the EU reached 2.82 trillion yuan ($394 billion), marking a year-on-year increase of 3.5 percent. This translates to over 15 billion yuan in daily trade - equivalent to the total annual trade volume at the time diplomatic relations were established. 

During the same period, the EU accounted for 12.9 percent of China's total foreign trade, solidifying its position as China's second-largest trading partner. As two of the world's major consumer markets, China and the EU are also each other's largest sources of imported consumer goods.

Both China and the EU should take the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations very seriously, implement them and show role model for other parts of the world, both can be good partners to work for humanity and to solve global challenges. We have to as well to preserve peace in the world, avoid military conflicts because military conflicts are disturbing economies as well. We are looking forward to solve the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and in some parts in Africa. 

The author is former chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with China, Honorary President of World Green Design Organization.