Martin Schulz

 

Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, gave a lecture titled “Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of EU-China Relations: Looking into the Future” at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) during his visit to China on March 15 to 18.

Schulz’s visit to CASS will promote EU-China academic exchanges, which can advance the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Europe, said Zhao Shengxuan, vice-president of CASS, in the welcoming address.

“At present, the EU-China relationship is gaining momentum,”  Schulz said. “And a good trade and investment environment is in the interest of both sides.”
 

While commodities dominate bilateral trade, services and investment account for a smaller share, and that needs to be increased, Schulz said.
 

In terms of global governance, Schulz said China has played a significant role in the process. He said we need to strengthen the establishment of international financial institutions in order to achieve common development. China has taken the first step by developing new cooperative platforms, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS Development Bank, he said.

“The EU would like to work together with China in guaranteeing the effect of the new institutions on global governance,” Schulz said.
 

“And the EU likes to conduct dialogues with China in fields where the two sides hold different views, which indicates that the EU-China relationship is mature and values mutual respect,” he continued.

 

 

Deng Zhimei is a reporter at the Chinese Social Sciences Today.