Remarks by EU President Donald Tusk at the EU-China summit in Beijing
July 18, 2016 Category 11th EU-China Business Summit, Weekly
Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, addressed the EU-China Summit, saying he was pleased to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. The Summit gave Chinese and European leaders the opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our Strategic Partnership in these testing times, he said. President Tusk said that the European Union welcomes China’s Presidency of the G20 this year in Hangzhou. “As two of the largest economies in the world, the EU and China have an important stake, as well as responsibility, in ensuring the growth and stability of the global economy,” and “the European Union looks forward to closely work with China to resolve international conflicts and address foreign policy priorities,” Tusk said.
He emphasized that global issues, like migration, international development assistance, the environment and fighting climate change, can only be resolved through a global response, for which a collaborative EU-China relationship is crucial. Tusk said that the protection of the rule-based international order may be the biggest challenge ahead of us.
Globalization brings many benefits to our nations, but more and more people feel that it is happening without rules, the President of the European Council said. If we let these feelings grow, the first victims will be the Chinese and European economies, not to mention people. “Today’s summit should send a message to our people and to the rest of the world of our joint commitment to our Strategic Partnership,” Donald Tusk said.
In a second speech after the conclusion of the 18th summit between the European Union and China, President Tusk said both parties had rich and sometimes very candid discussions on all dimensions of their relations, adding that talks with President Xi and Premier Li were “fruitful and conclusive”, moving the strategic partnership between the European Union and China forward. Ahead of the September G20 summit in China, both parties agreed to tackle the migration crisis at the global level. They also agreed to have another round of dialogue between the EU and China about human rights this year in Brussels.
Donald Tusk also said he had the opportunity to visit the National Museum in Beijing, giving him “a chance to appreciate Chinese history and its impressive culture”. He concluded by saying that progress was made “also thanks to the openness and frank approach by both President Xi and Premier Li.”
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