Turning challenges into opportunities

Editor's note: The 25th China-EU Summit was held in Beijing on Thursday. As each other's second-largest trade partner, the two still stand for cooperation across sectors. Three experts share their views on this issue with China Daily.

The China-European Union Summit in Beijing on Thursday carried the historical weight of the moment. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations. Yet this landmark is tempered by the growing gap between what the EU and China could achieve through constructive collaboration and the reality of the challenges that now define their relationship. This calls for reflection on the opportunities they could still seize despite the constraints.

When it comes to trade, the EU and China are both partners and competitors, with a complex web of interdependence. For decades, China has been an engine of growth for Europe, while Europe has served as a key market for Chinese exports. But what was once seen as a mutually beneficial relationship is now marked by tensions, and what appears to be structural challenges.