Optimism seen on EU-China ties

Beijing's new envoy to the bloc voices confidence on enhancing collaboration

Fu Cong, the new head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, says he is confident in being able to act as a bridge that enhances understanding and mutual trust and facilitates practical collaboration between China and the EU.

After Fu, a 57-year-old career diplomat, arrived in Brussels on Dec 10 he wasted no time in getting down to business. This included attending and speaking at the fifth China-EU CEO and Former Senior Officials' Dialogue on Dec 15 and meeting the European Council President Charles Michel the next day to present his credentials. Michel had met President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Li Zhanshu in Beijing on Dec 1.

On Dec 20 Fu met Bjoern Seibert, head of cabinet of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the following day he visited Gunnar Wiegand, managing director for Asia and the Pacific at the EU External Action Service.