On the afternoon of June 12, 2025, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li Qiang said that China-EU relations have become one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU). Last month, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President Antonio Costa and President Ursula von der Leyen, providing strategic guidance for further deepening the partnership between the two sides. The essence of China-EU relations lies in mutual benefit and win-win results. Strengthening cooperation between the two sides is both an objective need and an inevitable trend. China is ready to work with the EU to continue efforts to consolidate political mutual trust, expand pragmatic cooperation, and jointly promote development and prosperity, which will help each other succeed and benefit the world.

Li Qiang pointed out that the economies of China and the EU are highly complementary. China has the advantage of a super-large market and market potential that continues to be released. There is significant potential for cooperation between China and the EU across many fields. China is ready to strengthen market connectivity and industrial coordination with the EU to inject greater momentum into the development of both sides. Against the backdrop of rising headwinds facing economic globalization, cooperation is the only path to win-win outcomes. As two major economies and two major forces, China and the EU should enhance multilateral coordination, promote open cooperation, and contribute more to the recovery of the global economy and the improvement of global governance. China is ready to enhance cooperation with the ECB on reforms of the international monetary system and other areas. This year, China is implementing more proactive and effective macro policies, intensifying counter-cyclical adjustments, and adopting multiple measures to expand domestic demand and boost consumption, which fully offset adverse external influences. China will firmly expand opening-up and share development opportunities with other countries.

Christine Lagarde said that in the current international situation full of uncertainties, it is crucial for the EU and China to maintain high-level exchanges, dialogue, and cooperation. The EU and China share intertwined interests and bear joint responsibilities in many areas, including maintaining global financial stability and promoting international trade development. Tariff wars and trade wars only lead to lose-lose outcomes; upholding multilateralism and enhancing open cooperation are the correct choices. She expressed admiration for China's recent innovative development and the competitiveness of its enterprises. The ECB is pleased to have established a meeting mechanism for central bank governors with China and to have held the inaugural meeting. The ECB is committed to strengthening communication and coordination with Chinese financial institutions, expanding and deepening areas of cooperation, jointly addressing global challenges, and injecting more stability and certainty into the world.