I am delighted that Brussels and Beijing will soon usher in the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations, coming after France and China marked their 50th anniversary last year.

The anniversary of this cooperation is a good opportunity to think about our shared future, as well as showing the progress we have made in developing mutual understanding. In political affairs, China and Europe have the same vision about peace on the Earth through building a multipolar world.

Former French president Charles De Gaulle had the courageous vision that friendships between nations would play a smart role in building a world of harmony. However, our world today is a sum of nations, with peace and business linked to the balance between continents.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has focused on the development of Asia with major projects, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Against this backdrop, we have to develop further links between Asia and Europe. France and other European countries are ready to support this new era.

I am not only a frequent visitor to China, but also someone who enjoys the confidence of the new leadership in China. I have set a record of sorts in Europe by visiting China once every three months for the past 40 years or so. Though most of these visits have brought me closer to factories and poor villages in China, they have also given me an opportunity to closely interact with the new leaders who will one day take the helm there.

My first trip to China was in 1971, on a student visit to Hong Kong. I also visited Shanghai, and at the time the country was a "mysterious and forbidden" place, where the faces of ordinary people were often etched with sadness.

But even then what was endearing was the vibrancy of the young people. Most of those I met were warm and encouraging and gave me the feeling of a good and strong economy in the making.

According to my observations in China since 1971, top leaders are important, but there is also a team to implement the collective management of the country. Through the years, I have kept track of the progress made and my initial impressions have been proved more than correct.

I have been particularly impressed by the Communist Party of China's commitment to double the 2010 GDP and per capita income for both urban and rural residents by 2020, which sends a good message for debt-ridden Western countries. It is good for Chinese citizens, as the higher income will increase consumption, and at the same time it is encouraging for European countries such as France.

China's new goal is to rely more on domestic consumption rather than foreign investment and foreign trade for economic growth. More importantly, such a development model will encourage the expanding middle class to spend more on goods exported from European countries, travel overseas and send more students abroad. Further industrialization and urbanization in China will also offer more opportunities for European technologies and knowledge.

All these trends will help uncork the potential for several European countries.

No other French politician can say they enjoy such a close rapport with President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang as I do, and I will use this advantage and knowledge to further strengthen ties between our countries, as well as Asia and Europe as a whole.

Xi is experienced, direct and straightforward, and he has enough knowledge about Europe. My relationship with Li dates back several years to when he was Party secretary of Liaoning province. He is down to earth and open-minded, and his team is extremely professional.

Policymakers in Europe should be aware that, like Xi and Li, all 25 other members of the Political Bureau of the CPC's Central Committee are equally important and capable. In other words, Europe should have the utmost confidence in the Chinese leadership.

In economic development, we share a win-win strategy and are aiming for reciprocity. In the future, Europe will be an important destination for Chinese investment. China has announced it will invest $100 billion a year abroad. Europe must adapt its rules to meet success with Chinese initiatives. Research and innovation are also main priorities for both China and Europe.

China and Europe can bring together a world vision of sustainable development. It's an important priority of the Chinese government and it opens the way for success at the climate change conference in Paris in December.

It's an important priority of the Chinese government and it opens the way for success of the Paris Climate Change Conference in December 2015. China and Europe can bring together a world vision of sustainable development.

There's no doubt in my mind that the main part of our future cooperation must be cultural. In fact, both Europe and China must be interested in each other's civilization. Each country has to learn about their others. In the past, in 2003 with SARS crisis and in 2008, when France's president threatened to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics over Tibet, I had the opportunity to discuss the issues deeply with Chinese authorities. I worked to understand both positions and to promote respect for the Chinese point of view.

This is a cultural matter. For a long time, I read a lot of Chinese books, listened to Chinese music, learned Chinese poetry - I learned to like China. It does not mean that I agree with all the Chinese positions, but I understand and I respect them.

Ultimately we must consider that our mutual economic success will be founded on our mutual cultural respect. We are always afraid of what is unknown, but with the relationship between China and Europe, nobody has to be afraid. Nobody should go alone into this dangerous world. Finally our destiny is a common one.

The author is a former prime minister of France.

(China Daily European Weekly 05/01/2015 page7)