On May 15, 2023, Ambassador Fu Cong, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, met with Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe.

Ambassador Fu spoke positively of Ms. Mogherini’s contribution to promoting the development of China-EU relations in her capacity as the then EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. He said that China attaches importance to developing its relationship with the EU, sees the two sides as two major forces, markets, and civilizations, and has always maintained the continuity and consistency of its EU policy. As the international landscape is undergoing profound and complex changes, how China and the EU handle their relations will have a huge impact on where the world is heading. Currently, high-level exchanges between the two sides are showing sound momentum and there is broad space for cooperation. The EU should adhere to a right perception of China, avoid politicizing economic and trade issues, and avoid decoupling in the name of de-risking. Ambassador Fu also introduced China’s position on the Ukraine crisis and other issues.

Ms. Mogherini welcomed Ambassador Fu on assuming the new role. She noted that China is a major country playing an important role in international affairs. Due to differences in history, culture, and system, China-EU relations would encounter some difficulties inevitably. But the two sides have the wisdom to deal with these difficulties and cooperation should not be affected. Being advocates of multilateralism and the multilateral international system, the EU and China  can cooperate on many issues.

They also exchanged views on issues of common interest such as exchanges and cooperation between China and the College of Europe.