Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming Europe visit is fueling discussions about the future of EU-China relations, with business leaders emphasizing trust-building and economic collaboration. 🇨🇳🤝🇪🇺 Jens Eskelund, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, told CGTN that high-level exchanges—like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent trip to China—are vital to maintaining momentum. \"Trust is what allows difficult conversations to happen,\" he said, referring to ongoing economic and diplomatic dialogues.
While the U.S. often influences global politics, Eskelund stressed that Europe must act as an \"autonomous actor\" in its relationship with China. \"We need to focus on what’s unique to the EU-China dynamic,\" he added, hinting at opportunities in tech and sustainable industries. China’s push for \"new quality productive forces\"—a shift toward high-value manufacturing—could align with Europe’s strengths in innovation, creating shared growth paths. 💡
But challenges remain for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which Eskelund calls \"the backbone of Europe’s economy.\" While major EU firms \"continue to invest\" in China, SMEs face hurdles like geopolitical risks and supply chain uncertainties. Still, Eskelund remains optimistic: \"No one is running for the exit here.\"
With Xi’s trip set to highlight mutual priorities, the question isn’t whether Europe and China will collaborate—but how. 🌐✨
