On September 2, 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a symposium with a number of domestic experts and scholars and Chinese diplomats in Europe to discuss the current European situation and the opportunities and challenges faced by China-Europe relations. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi addressed the symposium and Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying chaired it.

Participants believe that the international situation is experiencing profound and complicated changes, the uncertain factors influencing world peace and stability are on the rise and the global economic recovery is clearly slowing down. The emerging powers continue to grow vigorously, have higher international status and play greater roles.

Europe is further impacted by the international financial crisis. Some countries have deteriorating sovereign debt problems and the core economies there are facing greater pressure. The political, economic and social problems of European countries get worse, but countries are taking active countermeasures.

In recent years, China-Europe relations have grown steadily. China and Europe need each other more than ever in terms of economic development and have strengthened communications and coordination on international issues. China and the EU have set the direction of building the all-round strategic partnership. China actively supports the efforts of the European countries of handling the sovereign debt problems and the bilateral relations are faced with new development opportunities. China is willing to work with the European countries to continue to expand business cooperation, enhance cultural exchanges, properly handle differences and deepen the bilateral strategic dialogue and cooperation.