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China and the EU have maintained close, high-level exchanges since they resolved to develop an all-round strategic partnership in 2003. In 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao visited Europe in October and December, respectively. Eight high-ranking EU officials, including President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, visited China, in addition to leaders of some member countries.
In the field of trade, the EU has become the largest trading partner of China, with bilateral trade volume standing at US$217.3 billion in 2005. Despite disputes over the textile trade, China and the EU found workable solutions to the quota issue and the problem of Chinese textiles stranded in European ports through consultation and signed win-win agreements. In December, China purchased 150 Airbus planes in one order, the biggest the company has ever received.
Mutual exchanges in other fields have brought the Chinese and Europeans closer. China has granted EU countries the approved destination status for Chinese tourists. The cooperation agreement on the Galileo navigation program signed in October 2004 is being carried out smoothly. Confucius Institutes, to facilitate the teaching of the Chinese language and culture, have begun to enter Europe. The aerobatic show by the Patrouille de France triggered wild enthusiasm in China. Young Chinese pianist Lang Lang was greatly applauded by officials at the EU headquarters for his remarkable skills. Exchanges and cooperation between China and the EU in fields such as culture, science and technology, education and environmental protection have maintained robust growth.
Down-to-earth efforts made by China and the EU to boost various exchanges and cooperation saw their relations become more mature and pragmatic in 2005. Based on the annual meeting between top leaders, China and the EU decided to initiate a regular vice foreign ministerial level dialogue mechanism in September in the spirit of enhancing political dialogue to raise the profile of bilateral relations.
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