Mutual trust must continue to be the cornerstone of sino-European ties

It has been more than 38 years since China and the European Union first established diplomatic ties. During the past decade, the two sides have become strategic partners striving for stable, sustainable relations, with mutual trust being the cornerstone of all bilateral engagements.

Mutual trust often comes from knowing and understanding each other well, and consolidates and develops over time. China has always been a great supporter of European integration and also supportive of Europe's global role. China has remained steadfast in its support for Europe, during both good and bad times.

China's support for Europe has proved crucial in recent times, especially after the global financial crisis, as it came at a time when there was widespread global pessimism over European integration and the euro. The nation has not only remained steadfast in its support of Europe, but also provided assistance to Europe in a measure fair to its own strength.

Down the road, it is clear that China will continue to support European integration and the EU's efforts to address the debt crisis and its commitment to play a bigger role in international affairs.

Mutual trust can be found in many areas of cooperation between China and Europe at multiple levels. There is enormous diversity among the EU member states. Such diversity, coupled with the different backgrounds of China and Europe, has made engagements between the two sides diverse and multi-tiered.

In my view, China and the EU need to step up engagement at various levels. Efforts made in these directions will not only complement and reinforce, but also improve the overall size and quality of Sino-EU relations.

China considers European institutions as the high point of European integration and has always viewed them as a key platform for sustained engagement. These institutions play an active role in coordinating the EU's China policies and also in facilitating China-EU cooperation.

Member states are also important for maintaining healthy relations between China and the EU. China sees the ties with EU member states as the pivot for overall China-EU relations. Each EU member state has its own unique national conditions with regard to natural resources and economic and social development. As a result, the focus and needs of the member states vary, and so also their cooperation with China. This is an important factor that needs to be considered when conducting negotiations with EU member states.

With changes taking place in the global landscape, more and more EU member states have begun to demonstrate similar needs and interest in their cooperation with China. This trend has created potential for China and Europe to carry out more cooperation.

Through our practical experience of ongoing cooperation between China and central, eastern and southern Europe, we have learned that such cooperation can meet the demands of both sides and ensure faster implementation, as it effectively mobilizes and rewards the public, social and private sectors through joint engagement.

The cooperation between China member states across Europe is transparent, open and inclusive. Such cooperation is an integral part of China-EU relations, and is, in essence, a kind of extension and in-depth development of China-EU cooperation, serving the interest of not only member states but also the union as a whole. By growing cooperation at all levels, China expects to add more substance and avenues to Sino-EU cooperation and make it broader, deeper and more solid.

Mutual trust is also encapsulated in the proper management of differences. Due to different national conditions, development levels and choice of development path, China and Europe have different perspectives on various issues. It is important to view and handle these issues comprehensively with reason and objectivity in the future also, and to continue to use dialogue and cooperation to remove misgivings and build trust.

China and Europe are both blessed with several new opportunities to grow ties. The two sides should work actively on a medium and long-term plan for cooperation. I strongly believe that by following the spirit of equality, mutual trust, cooperation and win-win, China and Europe can forge a new chapter of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The author is the Chinese ambassador to the European Union. The views do not necessarily represent those of China Daily.

(China Daily 04/26/2013 page10)