Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on China and the European Union (EU) to provide more stability and certainty for the world through steady and sound China-EU relations, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Xi made the remarks when meeting with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who are here for the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing.

Xi said over the past 50 years, China and the EU have achieved fruitful outcomes in exchanges and cooperation, delivering mutual success and worldwide benefits, and an important understanding and insight is that the two sides should respect each other, seek commonality while reserving differences, uphold openness and cooperation, and pursue mutual benefit.

These are also important principles and the right direction for China-EU relations in the future, Xi said. Xi underscored the importance for China and the EU, both constructive forces for multilateralism and openness and cooperation, to strengthen communication, enhance trust and deepen cooperation in a more challenging and complex international situation, in order to provide more stability and certainty for the world through steady and sound China-EU relations.

Both as "big guys" in the international community, China and the EU should keep their bilateral relationship growing in the right direction, and work together to usher it into an even brighter next 50 years, he said. 

President Xi's three proposals - adhere to mutual respect to consolidate partnership; uphold openness and cooperation to properly address differences; and practice multilateralism to safeguard the international rules and order - clearly outline the fundamental pillars of a stable and enduring China-Europe relationship. They provide not only strategic direction but also concrete pathways for future collaboration, Gao Jian, a scholar at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday. 

Xi's remarks also underscore China's consistent and steady approach to Europe, which is distinct from the shifting policies frequently seen in some Western countries. China views its ties with Europe as an engagement between two major civilizations, powers and markets, and remains firmly committed to a long-term, stable policy course regardless of external changes, said the expert. 

Upon arriving in Beijing early Thursday morning, von der Leyen wrote on X that the China-EU Summit "is the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship." After meeting with President Xi, she posted again to thank him for hosting them in Beijing, saying: "Europe and China are global economic heavyweights. Our relationship matters globally, and it must work for both sides - for our people and our businesses. Let's shape that future together."

European Council President Antonio Costa also mentioned the meeting with President Xi in a post on X on Thursday, writing: "Committed to deepening our partnership. Seeking concrete progress in addressing concerns - with respect, goodwill, and honesty. Working together to uphold multilateralism."

On Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the two EU leaders jointly chaired the 25th China-EU Summit. The two sides also released a joint statement on climate change on Thursday, in which it said they reiterate that in the fluid and turbulent international situation today, it is crucial that all countries, notably the major economies maintain policy continuity and stability and step up efforts to address climate change.

The statement also noted that the Chinese and EU leaders also recognize that strengthening China-EU cooperation on climate change bears on the well-being of the peoples on both sides and is of great and special significance to upholding multilateralism and advancing global climate governance.

This round of high-level China-EU talks carries both historical significance and practical relevance - marking 50 years of diplomatic ties and unfolding against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and global instability. As two major powers and markets, China and the EU should reaffirm their shared responsibility to uphold multilateralism and resist the Cold War mentalities, Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday. 

Cui said the leaders' meeting mechanism reflects growing political maturity, policy continuity and a shared commitment to manage differences while deepening cooperation.

Managing through dialogue

President Xi on Thursday also stressed that China and the EU should uphold openness and cooperation, and properly manage differences. Xi said that "reducing dependency" should not lead to reducing China-EU cooperation. The bilateral economic and trade relationship, which is by nature complementary and mutually beneficial, can indeed achieve dynamic equilibrium through development, according to Xinhua.

It is hoped that the EU can remain open in trade and investment market, refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools, and foster a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the EU, Xi stressed.

China doesn't shy away from challenges in its relationship with the EU. As two of the world's largest economies and key trading partners, frictions are natural, but the focus should be on managing them through dialogue, not escalation, said Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Concerns such as trade imbalances, overcapacity, and rare earths should be addressed through negotiation, grounded in the mutual dependence of both economies. Despite rising tensions, trade remains the area of greatest shared interest. "While the EU now sees China as a competitor, it still prioritizes de-risking over decoupling and seeks cooperation on global issues like climate change," the expert said. "Both sides should adjust to a relationship shaped by both cooperation and competition."

China and the EU, as two of the world's major economies, have both the responsibility and capacity to send a strong message in support of multilateral trade systems and inject much-needed stability and certainty into global markets during these challenging times, Fang Dongkui, secretary general of the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU), told the Global Times. 

Despite the headwinds, the fundamentals of China-EU economic relations remain strong, with several areas particularly standing out for future cooperation, naming green transition, digital economy and third markets cooperation, the chamber head said.

This round of high-level interactions between China and the EU has also attracted wide attention and coverage in Europe. A report from the German news network Deutsche Welle (DW) noted that Brussels has framed Thursday's talks as "a clear opportunity for detailed, frank, substantive actions around all aspects of our relationship."

Cui said that neither side set unrealistic expectations for the outcome of this meeting. "The complex issues in China-EU relations cannot be resolved in a single stroke," Cui said. "As long as both sides can reach a basic consensus on positions, understanding, and future direction, that would already be a significant achievement. Remaining issues can be addressed through the more than 70 existing dialogue mechanisms."

We hold a rational expectation for China-EU relations. 2025 is more likely to be a phase focused on maintaining stability and sustained engagement, said Cui. 

Gao also emphasized that stabilizing China-EU relations requires the EU to move beyond Cold War thinking and opportunistic approaches. Europe is navigating a deep structural crisis - entangled in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, facing transatlantic trade tensions, and lacking a unified, consistent strategy toward China.

"To move forward, Europe needs to reassess the principles guiding its domestic and foreign policy and adopt a more realistic view of today's global landscape," he said. "China is an opportunity - not a threat."

In response to a media inquiry regarding French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will formally recognize the Palestinian State during a UN meeting in September, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday that the Palestinian question is at the heart of the Middle East situation. The only viable way to resolve it lies in the two-State solution.

Guo stated that China supports the upcoming UN high-level conference on the implementation of the two-State solution. "We will continue working with the other member states to end the Gaza conflict, ease the humanitarian crisis, implement the two-State solution, and realize the full, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question," Guo said.

In a X post on late Thursday (local time), Macron announced that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, stressing the "historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," which would make France the first G7 nation to do so.

"The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,″ Macron said, calling for an immediate cease-fire, the release of all hostages, and large-scale humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. 

In a formal letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron said the urgent need is to achieve the only viable solution (two-state solution) to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, put an end to terrorism and all forms of violence, and ensure lasting peace and security for Israel and the entire region. 

In response, Abbas's deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, thanked the French leader, saying "This position reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state," according to Sheikh's X post. 

Hamas, according to Al Jazeera, also praised Macron's announcement in a statement as a "positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to self-determination."

Al Jazeera said the move makes France the largest and arguably most influential country in Europe to move toward recognizing a Palestinian state, after EU members Norway, Ireland and Spain indicated they would also begin the same process. It added that at least 142 countries out of the 193 members of the UN currently recognize or plan to recognize a Palestinian state.

Cui Hongjian, a professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that France's stance reflects the autonomy of its major-power diplomacy. 

France's shift from initial hesitation and ambiguity to increasingly clear support was backed by the growing consensus that sympathy for Palestine and support for the "two-state solution" are gradually becoming a consensus among more European countries, Cui said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed Macron's announcement in an X post, stressing that "the two-state solution is the only solution." 

In a statement on Thursday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would hold an "emergency call" with French and German leaders on Friday to discuss "what we can do urgently to stop the killing," according to the BBC. Statehood is an "inalienable right of the Palestinian people", Starmer said, adding that a ceasefire would "put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution," the BBC report. 

In a joint statement released on Monday, Western countries including UK, France, Australia, Canada and 21 other countries, plus the EU, have called for an immediate end to the war on Gaza, saying that suffering there had "reached new depths."

According to a senior official in the French presidency reached by CNN, the Elysee is confident that it won't be the only ones recognizing Palestine in September.

France's announcement is likely to trigger domino effect of Palestinian state recognition, Cui said. 

It is possible that in September, some countries may follow suit and align with France in expressing their stance, said the expert, noting that there will also be countries that do not publicly declare their position, however, their stance may further tilt toward France in practice.

Macron's announcement came on the same day that the US and Israel walked away from Gaza cease-fire talks in Qatar, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of showing "a lack of desire to reach a cease-fire in Gaza," according to the New York Times. 

Regarding Macron's announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that the US "strongly rejects" the French plan, as the "reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace." 

Meanwhile, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Macron's announcement. "Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became," according to The Times of Israel's report. 

Cui believed that Europe and the US are increasingly at odds, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is further evidence of this divergence. 

An increasing number of Western countries have come to realize that Israel's actions have far exceeded the scope of what was initially claimed as self-defense and are moving toward geopolitical ambition of shaping a new Middle East order that favors Israel, said Cui. 

Meanwhile, in the US, the Republican administration, which appears to have stronger ties with Jewish interest groups compared to the previous Democratic administration, is moving toward more explicit support for Israel, Cui noted. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that the Palestinians are facing "the biggest humanitarian catastrophe" of their time amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, due to the failure of global efforts to deter Israeli actions, Xinhua reported. 

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, ongoing since October 2023, has resulted in more than 59,210 Palestinian deaths and over 143,040 injuries, according to Gaza-based health authorities. 

Cui believes that France's announcement carries positive implications for the broader Middle East. 

If this [pro-Palestine] trend continues among Western nations, it will likely generate greater pressure on Israel globally, including mounting condemnation in international public opinion and practical moves of opposition, said Cui, adding that this shift may eventually impact on the US decisionmaking.