We had good, constructive and very useful discussions, and I am satisfied with the progresses we made.

This is my first visit to China as President of the European Council. I came to Beijing as a friend of China, with respect and trust, with an open mind, and a strong conviction in honest dialogue. My visit is also a reflection of the utmost importance the EU, and myself personally, attach to the EU-China strategic partnership. We live in an interdependent world, dominated by global challenges that need common answers. We are not only passengers in the same boat, but have a shared responsibility to navigate it in the right direction. My ultimate goal is for the EU and China to work closer together with reinforced vigour and dynamism, not only in our own interest but also of the world at large. This is why I initiated a review of our strategic relationship in the European Council last September, and this is why I am here today.

I expressed my appreciation to President Hu for China’s rapid growth and its immense contribution to overall global development. Lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty is an unprecedented achievement.

China’s economic development and rise on the global scene is a great opportunity for Europe as well. The European Union is China’s largest trading partner. Our economies and also our societies are interlinked on a scale unprecedented in the history of our relations. We are mutually becoming part of the solutions of each other’s challenges. Simply put, we want China to succeed.

I outlined to President Hu that one of the key challenges to the development of our strategic partnership will be to preserve the climate of openness in our economic and trade relationship. The EU upheld its open policies even in times of economic downturn, and is keen to achieve progress towards establishing a level playing field in our economic relations, including the concerns European companies have regarding the business and investment climate in China. We agreed with President Hu on the vast opportunities in front of us in technology development.  We also discussed the challenge of sustainable urbanization, and I proposed to work towards the launch of an urbanization partnership at the next Summit.

We also agreed on the importance of enhancing people-to-people contacts as a “third pillar” of our strategic partnership. In this context, we agreed on the need to expand the number of European students studying in China. The idea of establishing a Sino-EU university in China also deserves our support.

I also confirmed to President Hu that as China plays a very significant role on the global scene, European public opinion has a strong focus on China’s development and policies. China’s public image and reputation, as well as its influence, will be shaped by factors going beyond its economic performance: benefiting from an open and interdependent world implies a greater responsibility in contributing to its stability as well. Safeguarding human rights and the rule of law is part of this.  China and the EU have both signed up to the international instruments that enshrine the universal values of human rights, and we have a shared responsibility to uphold them.  This work is among the core values the European Union is built on. It is of deep concern for European citizens, and it is reflected in our diplomacy across the world. China’s contribution to this work will be an important element shaping its reputation and influence in the future.

I informed President Hu that in the EU economic recovery was on track. Overall, our macroeconomic fundamentals are strong, the euro remains a very strong currency in which investors worldwide continue to trust. I also outlined to him the elements of the most fundamental overhaul of the EU economic governance framework we launched recently. I expressed my appreciation to the President for the strong confidence China displayed in the euro area, both with direct investments and through reserve investment policies. The stability of the euro area is a shared interest and a key for the recovery of the world economy.

We also discussed how the G20 could continue to be effective in ensuring economic and financial co-operation at the global level. China’s role is essential in this process, as the G20 and the Seoul agreement on the better  representation of China in international financial institutions helped China better integrate in the global economic and financial governance network. I confirmed to President Hu the importance the EU attaches to the implementation of the agreements reached in Seoul to move towards more market-determined exchange rate systems that reflect underlying economic fundamentals. We also discussed the ongoing negotiations on climate change and on the Doha Development Agenda.

Finally, it was my honour to extend an invitation to President Hu to visit the European institutions in Brussels at his earliest convenience.