Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, addressed the EU-China Business Summit in French. He mentioned that he came to China for the first time 20 years ago in 1996 and immediately fell in love with the country. He said he was – then as now – impressed by China’s history and civilization. Together, China and Europe, can raise the prosperity and well-being of the people of China and the peoples of Europe, and strengthen the stability of the world. Many wonder what road Europe will take after the decision of the British people to leave the European Union, Juncker told his audience, emphasizing that Europe – even the Europe of 27 member states – is and would remain the second largest economic zone in the world.

Commission President Juncker reviewed the past four decades of relations between the European Union and China and the progress achieved. The European market has made it possible to speed up the Chinese economic miracle through exports, Juncker said, and it allowed millions of people to rise out of poverty. We are at the dawn of a new era in our bilateral relations, and its success will depend on how we tackle the complex process of transformation together, Juncker said.

Link to Jean-Claude Juncker’s speech (in French)