SFC Correspondent Li Yinong in Shanghai
As China and the European Union commemorate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, this milestone offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the evolution of one of the world’s most significant partnerships.
Speaking with SFC Correspondent, Charles Michel, former president of the European Council, former Prime Minister of Belgium, emphasized the importance of this moment, describing it as a chance not only to review the journey so far, but also to chart a path forward amid growing global uncertainties.
Charles Michel acknowledged that while differences exist between China and the EU, what binds both sides is a shared desire for greater stability, security, and prosperity. He stressed that cooperation on global challenges — from climate change to global health — is not a choice, but a necessity. In Michel’s view, the world today stands at a crossroads, facing a systemic shift that demands fundamental decisions: whether to embrace deeper international collaboration or retreat into isolationist tendencies.
Addressing current trade tensions, Michel reaffirmed the EU’s strong support for free trade, fairness, and a rules-based multilateral order under the WTO framework. He cautioned against the dangers of trade wars, warning that additional barriers risk harming all parties involved and undermining global prosperity.
Looking ahead, Michel sees both opportunity and responsibility resting with China and the EU. “Do we want to cooperate more? Or do we think that only the national level is the right level to solve problems?” he asked, emphasizing that in a multi-polar world, effective multilateralism is more critical than ever.
As the world navigates an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, Michel’s message is clear: sustained engagement, mutual respect, and multilateral cooperation will be key to shaping the future of China-EU relations — and the broader international order.
China and the EU must work closely to tackle challenges
SFC Markets and Finance: This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU relations. Looking back, what has changed the most? And do you see more challenges or more cooperation?
Charles Michel: First, I think it is a very important moment. The 50th anniversary of the relationship between China and the EU is a perfect occasion to have a fresh look at our partnership, but also to identify what we can do in the future to deepen our partnerships. There are differences between China and the EU, but this is absolutely certain that what matters is more stability, more security, more predictive ability, and we want more prosperity for our people.
It means that in the future we have to identify what are the joint priorities, such as climate change and global health. On all those topics, we need China and the EU working more together to overcome those challenges, in terms of economic development and economic partnerships. There are some challenges we face on both sides, and we have to talk to each other, see how it is possible to take into account our legitimate interests on both sides, and how it is possible to prepare new plans for the future.
SFC Markets and Finance: We see the world is getting more divided in recent years. Do you think the China-EU relationship is more important than ever now?
Charles Michel: I have the privilege to have served 10 years in the European Council, and I've had the occasion to participate in all UN meetings over the last years, all the G7 and G20 meetings last year. In my previous position, I have had the occasion to observe, not only to observe, also to try to act and to defend some fundamental principles that are important for the future of humanity, in my opinion. And what I see today is a systemic shift. We have to make the right choices. We have to make fundamental decisions.
I have the impression that China, the EU, and the rest of the world, we are at a crossroads. The question is very simple: Do we want to cooperate more? Do we want to consider that we have major common interests as one humanity? Or do we think that only the national level is the right level to solve problems? If you take climate change, for instance, climate change doesn't know any border, and without international cooperation, we will not manage to overcome this challenge and it is a threat for the future of humanity.
If I take global health, this is really important to work much more together in the future to prevent disease, but also to identify what we can do when we face a major crisis so that we can support our citizens all across the world.
The EU supports free trade and cooperation
SFC Markets and Finance: There's also concerns of globalization and the global trade. And we see U.S. just put a 90-days pause of tariffs. So what's your take on that and what will happen after?
Charles Michel: The European Union’s attitude is very clear. We believe in international cooperation. We believe in free trade, we believe in fairness, we believe in reciprocity, and we believe the WTO has to play a very important role. And that's why we are strongly in favor of the reforms that are needed within the WTO, the dispute settlement mechanism, for instance, is an important pillar to support the future of the WTO.
And we also have responsibility on the EU side to do our own homework, especially in the field of competitiveness. We have some challenges. We need to improve our regulation. I think we also have to invest more massively in the future. That is why we need to develop some financial tools to inject more financing in some strategic sectors like energy, the digital infrastructure.
And once again, I think more international dialogue is needed. And right now is more cooperation, not the opposite.
SFC Markets and Finance: The U.S. is EU's top car export market. So there's a lot of talks going on right now, but how much it might hurt Europe's economy if the negotiation doesn't go well?
Charles Michel: I think that the trade war is not the right option, on the contrary, even the impression that those who are tempted to launch a trade war could be affected by the decisions they are making themselves. And it is absolutely clear that if there is a temptation to put in place additional tariffs, additional barriers, it means that there is a serious risk for more poverty for everyone. And it's not what we want, we want the opposite.
That's why we are always open to have a dialogue to discuss, to identify what concerns are, what the legitimate interests are. But on the other hand, the EU has also its own concerns and interests. We are always ready to respect all our partners, and we want to be respected as well.
SFC Markets and Finance: China and the EU have started talks on setting electric vehicle prices. How do you see this step forward? What kind of signal does it send?
Charles Michel: Between China and the EU, there are many topics where we can cooperate, a lot of ways make it possible to deepen the cooperation. There are also topics where there could be sometimes some frictions and some differences. I know that there are some efforts on both sides to find some solutions. And I'm in the camp of those who hope, who sincerely hope that some acceptable solutions will be found.
China and the EU should promote multilateralism
SFC Markets and Finance: With so much changing globally right now, where do you see China-EU ties heading next?
Charles Michel: I think that a lot will depend on China, and on the EU. And this is our joint responsibility. You see, this is our joint responsibility to decide what we want for the future. Do we want more openness to the rest of the world? Do we want more engagement? Or do we want to focus on ourselves, without taking into account the cooperation that is needed with the rest of the world?
We have understood that, in our opinion, what we need is more cooperation, more multilateralism, because in a multi-polar world, we need an efficient and effective multilateralism. I don't underestimate that we have our differences. I don't underestimate that in Europe, we have sometimes, some concerns, and it's important that we have the occasion to engage at the diplomatic level, to share our concerns, to listen to each other, and to see if some compromises are possible, to make steps in the right direction.
SFC Markets and Finance: I also believe that people-to-people connection is another important aspect of it. Do you have any suggestions, words, especially for the younger generation?
Charles Michel: I'm absolutely convinced that people-to-people interactions are vital, are fundamental. Because in the long term, these people-to-people contacts will bring societies closer to each other. And young people, young generations, they have a special role, a natural responsibility, because they are the leaders of tomorrow and they are those who will build the world of tomorrow.
And the more there are spaces, occasions to meet, frameworks where we can meet in person, the better we can understand your society, your realities, your culture, your traditions and vice versa. The more it will be helpful to facilitate understanding, to facilitate this qualitative intelligence.
I think it is very dangerous when we do not talk to each other. And then if we don't talk to each other, there is always a risk that you become suspicious, and sometimes you think that your counterpart has some projects, some ideas—maybe it's not the case. And this is the beginning of more mistrust. When you have mistrust, you have the risks that there will be more tensions and then you are not in a position to solve problems.
Dialogue is key to resolving differences
SFC Markets and Finance: You have visited China many times. What impressions stand out most to you every time you come back?
Charles Michel: The first impression relates to the Chinese people and the Chinese society. I'm always impressed by the warm hospitality that I receive when I'm here in China. I've had the occasion to work on behalf of Belgium and then on behalf of the EU, with the Chinese leadership. I've seen that it is possible to exchange views. We are not always, nor systematically, on the same page, there are differences.
But it is very important to have a framework that allows us to talk to each other and to think together about what we can do in the short term, what decision can be made in the short term, so that we resolve problems, and that we manage our differences in a responsible way.
Chief Producer: Zhao Haijian
Supervising Producer: Shi Shi
Editor: He Jia
Reporter: Li Yinong
Videographer: Hu Kaiwen
Video Editor: Cai Yutian Li Qun
New Media Coordination: Ding Qingyun, Zeng Tingfang, Lai Xi, Huang Daxun
Overseas Operations Supervising Producer: Huang Yanshu
Overseas Content Coordinator: Huang Zihao
Overseas Operations Editors: Zhuang Huan, Wu Wanjie, Long Lihua
Produced by: Southern Finance Omnimedia Group
