BRI fully in line with EU strategy on connecting Europe and Asia

Editor's Note: Alex Chan is a PhD student in diplomacy at Peking University. Previously, he graduated in China studies from Peking University and international relations from the London School of Economics. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessary the views of CGTN.

Asia and Europe are inseparable, both geographically and historically, and they are connected through their rich cultures and intense trades.

According to EU data, Asia accounts for around 35 percent of EU's exports and 45 percent of its imports. Global economic interdependence between Asia and Europe is inevitable.

The EurAsian region should, therefore, better seize the opportunities to cooperate with China especially in fields such as technological innovation, trade, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

In this context, Chinese President Xi Jinping's just-concluded three-nation Europe trip has tremendously promoted pragmatic Sino-EU cooperation in all fields. During his trip, the Sino-Italian Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was signed, making Italy the first member of the Group of Seven nations (G-7) to officially endorse the initiative.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, March 25, 2019. /Xinhua Photo‍

The MoU is vitally beneficial to the peoples and enterprises of the two countries. According to Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, the value of the deals could rise to 20 billion euros.

Apart from the 19 intergovernmental bilateral documents, China and Italy clinched a slew of agreements to intensify cooperation in agriculture, tourism, investment and culture. For instance, China Media Group (CMG) and the Italian Football Federation signed an MoU to initiate strategic cooperation in sports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, March 25, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

President Xi's visit to Monaco, at the invitation of Prince Albert II, was historically significant as it marked the first-ever visit by a Chinese head of state to the Principality.

The two countries agreed to boost 5G technology cooperation in autonomous driving, medical treatment and development of smart cities. Furthermore, they emphasized the crucial need for cooperation in environmental and ecological protection, renewable energy and wildlife conservation.

In France, Presidents Xi and Macron agreed to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, aviation, aerospace, science, technology, agriculture and finance. The two countries also pledged to align France's Industry of the Future initiative with Made in China 2025.

Xi's France visit is significant in strengthening Sino-EU cooperation as well. In Paris, President Xi met German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, during which Merkel stated that Europe wanted to play an active role in the BRI.

Last September, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy adopted a Joint Communication with the EU vision for a new strategy to better connect Asia and Europe.

The Joint Communication views EurAsian cooperation as crucial for building "a more cooperative approach to world politics, global stability, and regional economic prosperity," which is fully in line with the visions and practical aspects highlighted by China's BRI.

China, with solid plans and goals to deepen reform and opening-up, is a significant partner in achieving a comprehensive and inclusive EurAsian integration.

In this regard, Xi's meetings with European leaders serve tonot only strengthen Sino-European friendship but also foster mutual trust and build synergies between the BRI and EU's strategy on connecting Europe and Asia.

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