The European Union should reflect on whether binding itself to the US has brought it security

This year marks the 50th anniversary of European Union-China diplomatic relations. Yet beyond the symbolism lies a deeper question: whether the meeting can move beyond ceremony and instead serve as a defining moment in an increasingly fragile global order.

At a time when the world teeters between fragmentation and renewal, the choices made by Brussels and Beijing may well determine whether the next phase of international relations is dominated by rivalry or marked by renaissance.

In recent years, the relationship between the EU and China has been described, often reductively, as one of "systemic rivalry". While this term captures certain realities — such as competition in high-tech industries and regulatory influence — it also obscures the broader truth, that Europe and China, despite their differences, are indispensable partners. Their combined economic, diplomatic and cultural weight makes outright antagonism not only undesirable but deeply self-defeating.

Indeed, in areas such as multilateralism, climate action, fair trade and the governance of emerging technologies, the interests of Europe and China converge far more often than popular discourse suggests. This convergence is especially critical now, against the backdrop of a world increasingly influenced by unilateralism. Since the United States government has implemented tariff hikes and extraterritorial sanctions, both the EU and China find themselves needing to defend the rules-based international order. Both recognize that institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization are essential to protecting the interests of medium and large powers alike, especially in the face of the might-makes-right geopolitics of the global hegemon.

This does not mean ignoring grievances. European companies remain frustrated by market-access restrictions and state subsidies in China, while Chinese investors face increasing scrutiny and regulatory uncertainty in Europe. However, responsible diplomacy does not treat disagreements as signs of inevitable conflict. Mature dialogue can both acknowledge these issues and work toward solutions, without feeding the flames of mistrust.

This year's summit must go beyond diplomatic pleasantries. It should set a clear and ambitious road map for reinvigorating the EU-China partnership, based on three interlinked layers: rapid-trust measures, institution-building initiatives and the articulation of a shared strategic narrative.

The first layer — rapid-trust measures — should include concrete economic and educational cooperation. A revised and ratified Comprehensive Agreement on Investment — reached in principle in 2020 — would send a powerful message that both parties still value economic interdependence and are willing to compromise for mutual benefit. But perhaps even more impactful in the long term would be the establishment of a new 21st-century Erasmus-style exchange program encouraging large-scale student mobility between China and the EU.

Students are not just participants in education — they are ambassadors of understanding, cultural bridges and architects of the future. A generation of Chinese and European youth studying together, forming lifelong friendships, and building professional networks will do more for mutual trust than any number of communique. These exchanges will not only foster empathy and dialogue but also cultivate the very human capital needed to solve the complex challenges of tomorrow — be it climate change, artificial intelligence ethics or global health. Investing in students is investing in a shared future.

The second layer is institution-building. In a world grappling with climate emergencies and digital disruption, permanent joint platforms can create lasting cooperation. A dedicated EU-China climate council theoretically could help align carbon pricing mechanisms, coordinate the transition to clean energy and mobilize green finance at scale. Similarly, a joint task force on AI safety would allow both parties to shape international norms on AI — ensuring transparency, promoting red-team testing and upholding the dignity of humans in the digital era. These efforts would complement the emerging UN Global Digital Compact and position both actors as global stewards of innovation with a conscience.

Beyond climate and technology, development cooperation offers a third institutional frontier. A trilateral development forum bringing together the European Investment Bank, the China Development Bank, and African Union institutions would rationalize co-financing, enhance the impact of infrastructure projects and reduce debt stress for low-income economies. Such a forum would symbolize a shift from competition to coordination, especially in regions where both the EU and China are deeply engaged.

The third layer — and perhaps the most important — is the construction of a shared strategic narrative. At this crossroads, Europe and China must reject the extremes of unregulated globalization and inward-looking nationalism.

Instead, they can jointly advocate what might be called "re-globalization": a vision of open exchange that respects cultural diversity, supports social safety nets and operates within ecological boundaries. The European Green Deal and China's dual-carbon goals may differ in design, but they are aligned in purpose: to build a sustainable world that balances prosperity with planetary stewardship.

This vision requires more than elite agreement. It must be rooted in the daily experiences of ordinary citizens. Unfortunately, public perception remains a hurdle. Surveys in some EU countries show negative views on China, while Chinese media often portray Europe as a subordinate to US interests. These mutual misperceptions are not insurmountable, but they must be addressed. Tangible cooperation — especially in education, environment and technology — can demonstrate the value of the partnership in ways that resonate beyond diplomatic circles.

When the delegations gather later this month, the symbolic weight of five decades of cooperation will be evident. But anniversaries, while meaningful, should not breed complacency. Diplomatic longevity is not an achievement in itself unless it is accompanied by renewal. The relationship must evolve, not out of sentimentality, but out of necessity.

The choice is stark yet clear. Europe and China can retreat into defensive postures and allow the language of systemic rivalry to calcify into self-fulfilling prophecy. Or they can step forward together — different, yes, but not adversaries — and act as twin pillars of a pragmatic, multipolar world order. This path will not eliminate disagreement, but it will anchor it within a framework of mutual respect and shared responsibility.

A well-crafted summit declaration will not solve every problem, but it can signal intent. If the leaders of the EU and China emerge with concrete deliverables — binding timetables, institutional innovations, and a lexicon of cooperation rooted in human dignity and planetary sustainability — then 2025 may be remembered not as a breaking point, but as a turning point.

It is tempting to speak of golden ages as something consigned to history. But history is not destiny — it is made, moment by moment, by the choices of those in power and the courage of those with vision. The EU and China, working together in good faith, can be the catalysts of a new golden age for mankind — an age defined not by domination, but by collaboration; not by rivalry, but by renaissance.

The author is a specialist in global affairs and sinology and founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. 

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.