China and EU contribute to each other's success

I am in China this week to meet with the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission to work on further improving the connectivity between China and the European Union. I am also attending the Annual Meeting of the New Champions - World Economic Forum in Tianjin.

China is the world's most important economic and political emerging power and a key partner for the European Union. The Belt and Road Initiative illustrates the country's geostrategic vision and the European Union is working closely with China to make this initiative a success. We have also identified a number of synergies between the EU's policy priorities and China's projects and we are working together in the framework of the EU-China Connectivity Platform. We have agreed to cooperate on the basis of openness, reciprocity and the full respect of our respective laws and regulations.

Our common aim is to advance connectivity along the Eurasian landmass. Cooperation is therefore key, not only to improve and expand physical infrastructures, but also for the convergence of our respective policies, standards and regulations.