On May 6, 2025, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to warmly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU).

Xi Jinping noted that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners, as well as two major forces for building a multipolar world, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations championing diversity. Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have maintained close exchanges at all levels and across various fields, yielding fruitful outcomes in dialogue and cooperation. People-to-people and cultural exchanges have flourished, and multilateral coordination has delivered solid results. China-EU relations have grown into one of the most influential bilateral relationships in the world, making important contributions to enhancing the well-being of the people of China and Europe and promoting peace and development in the world.

Xi Jinping stressed that as unprecedented global changes unfold at a faster pace, human society has once again come to a critical crossroads. A sound and stable China-EU relationship not only works to the advantage of both sides but also brings benefits to the whole world. Xi Jinping said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-EU relations and is ready to work with President Antonio Costa and President Ursula von der Leyen to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to summarize the experience of the development of China-EU relations, deepen strategic communication, enhance understanding and mutual trust, consolidate the positioning of the partnership, expand two-way opening up, properly handle frictions and differences, and open up a brighter future for China-EU relations. Both sides should uphold multilateralism, safeguard fairness and justice, oppose unilateralism and bullying, join hands to address global challenges, and work for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, so as to contribute more to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

The EU leaders noted that over the past five decades, China has achieved the fastest sustained economic growth in its history. The EU and China have established extensive ties and become each other's most important trade partners, making contributions to the well-being of their peoples and economic development and prosperity. Against the backdrop of current global uncertainties and evolving geopolitical dynamics, the EU is willing to deepen its partnership with China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, jointly tackle common challenges, and promote world peace, security, prosperity, and sustainable development.

On the same day, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council exchanged congratulatory messages with Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. Li Qiang noted that China is ready to work with the EU to uphold the positioning of the comprehensive strategic partnership, make the China-EU relationship more stable, constructive, mutually beneficial and globally significant, and inject more stability and positive energy into the world.

The EU leaders stated that over the past 50 years, the EU-China relationship has continued to deepen and expand. The EU is willing to work with China to jointly address global challenges including climate change, and safeguard multilateralism and a stable international order.