Past year full of China-Europe highlights

The year 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of China and the European Union establishing diplomatic relations. During the past half century, China-EU relations have evolved through dialogue, cooperation, and occasional challenges, shaping one of the world's most important bilateral partnerships. China Daily has interviewed experts about the 10 key events that defined China-EU relations in 2025.

1. China-EU 50th anniversary and 25th summit

On May 6, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, to warmly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.

On July 24, the two sides held their 25th summit in Beijing, where Xi met with Costa and von der Leyen. The milestone anniversary added significance to the summit, as both sides assessed how to steer their ties amid shifting global dynamics.

During the meetings, Xi said China-EU relations had arrived at "another critical juncture", and called on leaders from both sides to demonstrate renewed vision and provide the world with greater stability and predictability through sound, steady relations.

For the future development of China-EU relations, Xi made three proposals: The two sides should uphold mutual respect and consolidate the positioning of China-EU relations as a partnership; they should uphold openness and cooperation and properly manage differences; and they should practice multilateralism and uphold international rules and order.

Li Xing, director of the European Research Center, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and an adjunct professor of international relations at Aalborg University in Denmark, said the China-EU summit offered both sides an opportunity to reaffirm their long-standing partnership. The summit signaled a shared commitment to maintaining engagement amid complex global circumstances.

While challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, trade imbalances, and the EU's internal structural contradictions, continue to shape the context, China's strong role in global supply chains and renewable energy technologies also creates opportunities for cooperation.

2. China prolongs its visa-free policy for multiple EU states

China further broadened its visa-free access for European travelers in 2025, extending a major unilateral exemption policy well into 2026.

On Nov 3, China announced the visa-free arrangement for more than 30 European countries would be prolonged until Dec 31, 2026. During this period, holders of ordinary passports from participating countries can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days.

A total of 34 European countries have been included in China's unilateral visa-free program, marking one of the country's most extensive efforts to facilitate cross-border travel and boost people-to-people exchanges.

Men Jing, director of East China Normal University European Research Center, said China's visa-free policy for multiple EU member states directly strengthens people-to-people connectivity, which has long been one of the stabilizing pillars in the China-Europe relationship. Reducing entry barriers allows European academics, students, businesspeople, and tourists to reengage with China firsthand, which will further revitalize commercial exchanges. Even in an era of so-called "de-risking", the EU still needs stable channels for commercial interaction with China.

In addition, visa-free access sends a signal of goodwill and openness at a time when political trust between China and the EU is fraying. China's removal of travel barriers creates space for constructive diplomacy, helping to rebalance a relationship that is marred by disputes over market access, technology security, and geopolitical alignment.

3. Bilateral trade remains stable and sees growth

Although China-EU trade data for the full year has not yet been released, figures from the first half, along with other available indicators, suggest bilateral trade is on track to grow. According to official data in June, the EU remained China's second-largest trading partner during the first five months of 2025, with total trade reaching 2.3 trillion yuan ($317 billion), a 2.9 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 12.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.

China continues to be the EU's largest source of imports, while two-way investment has also risen, compared with 2024.

Notably, several innovative Chinese companies have been expanding their presence in Europe. Battery manufacturer CATL has increased investment in Hungary, and automaker BYD is planning further investment in Spain. These moves are being echoed by European enterprises, including Volkswagen, which is setting up a joint R&D center in Hefei, Anhui province.

Ding Chun, director of the Center for European Studies at Fudan University, said that on the one hand, rising two-way investment and steadily growing bilateral trade demonstrate the strong resilience of China-EU economic cooperation and reflect a broad attitude of both competition and collaboration. On the other hand, the impact of geopolitics on economic relations has also become evident, as Europe repeatedly launched accusations concerning alleged "subsidies" to Chinese companies, and the investment conditions for Chinese enterprises in Europe have tightened.

Looking ahead, the economic and trade links between China and the EU will remain close and cannot easily be "decoupled". Europe faces mounting economic pressures both internally and externally, while China is working to achieve the goals outlined in its newly adopted suggestions to the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), getting enough room for improving China-EU economic relations.