In 2012, China's investment in the European countries exceeded the EU's investment in China; and in 2013, the central banks of China and Europe signed a 350-billion-yuan (45 billion euro) currency swap agreement. Sino-EU economic relations are becoming more stable, and reciprocal.

Third come the opportunities for cooperation at international level. China has set out the vision of establishing a Silk Road economic belt and a 21st century maritime Silk Road. The EU’s strategic objective is to establish a free trade zone from Lisbon to Vladivostok, which is in harmony with China’s concept. If both sides can achieve cooperation, it will be conducive to Eurasian integration and maritime globalization.

Another highlight of international cooperation is in peace and security. "China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation" brings new hope for China-EU cooperation in the maintenance of peace and security; it has changed the perception that China and Europe have no geopolitical intersection and an inadequate strategic relationship.

The Ukrainian crisis has made Sino-European regional security cooperation more of a priority. Other factors such as climate change, cyber security, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, piracy, and international conflicts pose serious threats to global security, encouraging China and EU to up the pace of security cooperation.

These three strategic opportunities serve to enhance the prospects of China-EU relations. The Chinese president will release a second policy document in relation to Europe, which will determine the role and position of China-EU relations in the global arena.

The article is edited and translated from 《中欧关系的三大战略机遇》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Wang Yiwei (Professor of International Relations Institute of the People's University of China, deputy director of the Center for European Studies)