A welcome dialogue

The high-level economic and trade dialogue between China and the European Union offered a needed chance to discuss not only bilateral relations but also sustainable development for both sides.

The start-up of the Sino-EU dialogue yesterday in Beijing is just one manifestation of how quickly trade and economic relations between the two sides have developed and how interdependent they have become.

The EU is now China's largest trading partner and the largest source of technology imports. China has also become the second largest trading partner and the fourth biggest export destination for the EU.