Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth China-Europe High-Level Political Parties Forum in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 22, 2013. [Photo: Xinhua]

The fourth China-Europe High-Level Political Parties Forum, held in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, from April 22 to 23, could not have taken place at a better time. The process of China's leadership transition concluded in March, so it is logical now that European parties should discover what policy adjustments the new leaders will make and the resulting implications for future Sino-European relations.

The forum attracted more than 200 delegates, including 100 from Europe representing 44 political parties from 27 countries.

Under the theme "Promoting Mutually Beneficial Cooperation for New Breakthroughs in China-Europe Relations," the forum addressed three issues: How to build a cooperative and mutually beneficial Sino-European community; China's path of peaceful development and Sino-European cooperation in international affairs; and, China's new modernization drive and concrete cooperation between China and Europe.

China's foreign policy principles have been devoted to promoting world peace, development and international cooperation. In November 2012, the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) added one important point to its foreign policy outline: mutual benefit. The forum in Suzhou was the first major event at which the notion of mutual benefit was discussed between the CPC and foreign political parties as well as between Chinese and foreign scholars.

It seems that the concept of a "community of common destiny" between China and Europe is something of a fancy concept. Chinese and European participants might have different interpretations of this new phrase, but its basic meaning is rather straightforward. China and Europe need each other in their pursuit of economic and social development, and better cooperation will result in mutual benefit.

China's peaceful development has generated more opportunities than challenges for Europe. Without three-plus decades of rapid development, China would not have been able to offer a helping hand to Europe as the continent strives to overcome the debt crisis, although some Europeans are not prepared to accept this reality. Moreover, beyond their bilateral relationship, as all the delegates at the forum acknowledged, the two important players can also join hands in dealing with global issues at a global level.

As early as in 1954, China announced that it would try to realize "Sihua" (四化, four modernizations) as soon as possible. At that time, "Sihua" referred to modernizations in the areas of industry, agriculture, transportation and national defense. In 1975, the meaning of the slogan changed and modernization of transportation was replaced by that of science and technology. In his report to the 18th National Congress of the CPC, then CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao proclaimed that China would pursue a path of industrialization, informatization, urbanization and agricultural modernization. Dubbed the new "Sihua," this long-term development goal will pave the way for China to become a moderately prosperous society by the middle of this century. Both Chinese and European delegates at the forum agreed that the new "Sihua" has something in common with "Europe 2020," the EU's growth strategy. Clearly, then, there should be plenty of scope for cooperation between the two sides.

The forum was initiated by the CPC and first held in Beijing in 2010. It created a good opportunity for both the CPC and European parties to exchange views about their bilateral relations, as well as other issues. It also provided an excellent opportunity for Europeans to learn more about China under the new leadership. Liu Yunshan, a new face in the seven-member Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC, addressed the forum. He explained the meaning of the "Chinese dream," a phrase created by the new leadership: By the mid-21st century, China will become a nation with more economic power, more democracy and more social harmony.

Indeed, in a globalized world, development in China will furnish the outside world with many trade and investment opportunities. It is predicted that in the next five years China will import foreign goods worth $10 trillion, raising the total stock of overseas investment to $500 billion and send out 400 million tourists to every corner of the world. Europe will definitely get the lion's share of this huge Chinese cake if bilateral relations can be promoted to a higher level.

It is encouraging to see that European delegates at the forum expressed optimistic views about the future of Sino-EU relations. Patrick Le Hyaric, representative of the French Communist Party and director of the party's newspaper L'Humanite, was reported as saying: "I support the EU to learn more about China and get closer to China. China has a new Chinese dream, and that is also a dream about Europe, and the world."

In order to make their comprehensive strategic partnership, now in its 10th year of existence, more meaningful and productive, China and the EU need to strengthen mutual understanding, as mutual understanding is one of the most effective ways to promote any bilateral relationship in today's interdependent world.

During my recent 80-day stay in Brussels for academic research, I had the feeling that many Europeans have misjudged, misperceived or were even prejudicial against China. I heard one European complaining that getting to knowing China is as difficult as getting to knowing the Vatican. Some Europeans were surprised to hear that, apart from the CPC, China has other political parties.

I firmly believe that the China-Europe High-Level Political Parties Forum has become an effective and successful "bridge" where both sides can exchange different views and express their different wishes. They can even agree to disagree as in the end, all of these things are undoubtedly beneficial to facilitating deeper Sino-European relations.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://china.org.cn/opinion/jiangshixue.htm

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