（图源：中国公共外交协会）
我虽然现在是中国公共外交协会会长，但因我十年前担任过中国驻欧盟使团的大使，因此我对中欧关系一直十分关注，也在为推动中欧关系的改善做一些力所能及的事情。我始终认为，中欧之间不管有什么分歧与矛盾，只有通过对话与沟通才能增进相互之间的理解和互信。
说实在的，我很怀念十年前我在布鲁塞尔担任中国驻欧盟大使时，经历的中欧关系的岁月。那时的中欧关系是战略伙伴关系，双方在各领域保持着密切的交往，互利合作的水平在不断提升。在推动世界多极化、全球化以及贸易投资自由化等重要问题上，双方有着相同和相近的立场以及共同的追求。那时双方虽然也有分歧，包括双方的贸易摩擦，但都能通过对话和协商妥善解决。中欧虽然社会制度不同，但双方都认为，中欧合作是不同社会制度合作的典范。但十年以后的今天再看中欧关系，让我有今不如昔的感觉。
十年来国际形势、国际格局和国际关系都发生了巨大的变化。在这一变化的大背景下，中欧关系虽然维持了基本的稳定，但双方在政治、经济以及对国际事务等问题上的分歧和矛盾都有所增加。这既影响了双方的互信，又影响了双方的务实合作。
当前中欧关系中存在的主要问题，我认为有以下几个方面：
一是欧洲对华认知的问题。昔日中国是欧洲的合作伙伴，但现在欧洲把中国视为了制度性对手和最主要的竞争者，甚至认为中国对欧洲是个威胁，欧洲从这一认知来定义中欧关系，制定对华政策和处理对华关系，只会使中欧背道而行且渐行渐远。中国一直把欧洲看作是一个合作伙伴，一直把欧洲看作是国际事务中的一支重要力量。中国的这一看法从未因为国际风云的变幻动摇过和改变过。中国从未主动挑战过欧洲的利益，也从未做过损害欧洲的任何事情。我以为中欧关系要想改善向好，欧洲首先要改变对华的错误认知。这是中欧关系向前发展的基本前提和要求。
二是欧洲在对华经贸合作上采取的错误政策。受上述对华错误认知的影响，欧洲这几年对华采取了“去风险”“减依赖”的政策。这一政策严重地制约了中欧在经贸领域的合作，特别是在高新技术领域的合作。欧洲对华合作的意愿下降，对华投资减少，对中国的资金进入欧洲提高了审查的门槛，对中欧之间的技术合作增加了层层的限制。欧洲对华的贸易保护主义增加。去年10月以来，欧盟对华动用限制性经贸措施已超过40项。新一届欧盟委员会更加强调“经济安全”，打算进一步升级投资审查、出口管制等领域的限制性措施。
中欧之间的经济有着深度交融，过去几十年在贸易、投资、技术合作等方面都使双方获得巨大的利益。今天的世界各国在经济上的依存实际上是在加深，而不是在减小。我们都在同一条全球产业链上，而中国又是产业链绕不开的枢纽。在这样的形势下，欧洲对华采取“去风险”“减依赖”的政策并强调“经济安全”既不明智，也不合时宜，是人为地想隔裂这个世界早已形成的你中有我、我中有你的依存关系。欧洲如果继续把经贸问题政治化、泛安全化，最终受损的是欧洲自己。
三是“俄乌冲突”对中欧关系的冲击。现在欧洲不少国家把中国对“俄乌冲突”的态度视为中欧关系能否改善的先决条件。一些欧洲领导人甚至威胁称，如果中国继续支持俄罗斯将付出沉重的代价。把中欧关系与俄乌冲突挂钩，这显然是欧洲人自我陷入的一种迷思。
俄乌冲突前线无人机（图源：新华社）
中国不是俄乌冲突的当事方，中国一直在做劝和促谈的工作，并为俄乌冲突的解决做了不懈的努力。中国没有为冲突双方提供过一枪一炮，一兵一卒。中国严控向冲突双方出口军民两用品。中国对无人机，哪怕是民用无人机的出口也有严格的限制。美国人说“中国支持了俄罗斯的国防基础工业”，但能拿出任何证据吗？最近欧盟对中国的几家涉俄企业制裁也没有任何事实依据。中国确实与俄罗斯保持着正常的经贸关系。欧洲不也有不少国家迄今仍与俄罗斯保持着贸易关系，仍在购买俄罗斯的油气吗！与俄罗斯保持着正常的经贸关系就是支持俄罗斯？欧洲自已能接受这一逻辑吗？
在中欧关系上拿俄罗斯说事儿，既站不住脚，也会给中欧关系的改善平添新的困扰。欧洲人心里应该很明白，早在俄乌冲突之前，中欧关系就出现了严重下滑。俄乌冲突不应成为中欧发展关系的障碍。
四是欧洲对中国内政的肆意干涉。近年来，欧洲不断地对中国内政进行干涉、不断地做出损害中国主权的行径。欧洲的这些所作所为严重伤害了中国人民的感情，也一再使中欧关系受到损害。
台湾问题是中国的内政也是中国的核心利益，绝不允许任何人干涉。对这一点欧洲人是很清楚的。欧洲所有与中国有外交关系的国家都承诺恪守一个中国的原则。但欧洲的一些政客出于敌视中国的本性，妄图把台湾从中国分裂出去。今年2月欧洲议会居然通过了一个决议，公然挑战联合国大会通过的恢复中国在联合国的合法权利和只有一个中国的2758号决议。这是对中国主权的严重侵害，是对中国赤裸裸的分裂行径。欧洲有几个国家还不时派军舰过航台湾海峡，在台湾问题上公然向中国挑衅。无论是欧盟、欧洲议会还是欧洲国家，如果挑战一个中国的原则，搞分裂中国的图谋，那么这是中欧关系无论如何也过不去的一道大坎。中欧关系不但好不起来，还会出现进一步的倒退。欧洲国家和欧洲人对这一点必须要有清醒的认识。
在涉港、涉疆、涉藏等涉及中国内政的问题上，欧洲也习惯于当教师爷，经常指手划脚。欧洲不断插手香港事务，干涉香港内政，抹黑中国对香港的政策。为了打压香港，欧洲议会通过决议要撤销香港的特殊关税待遇。在西藏问题上，欧洲一些国家的政客一直在支持藏独势力搞分裂中国的活动。在新疆问题上，欧洲人这几年无视新疆的发展变化，顽固地坚持认为新疆搞“强迫劳动”，禁止进口新疆棉的棉花，番茄等产品。这只会造成新疆老百姓的失业。中国没有在新疆搞“强迫劳动”，倒是欧洲在新疆搞“强迫失业”。我过去一直认为，欧洲人是讲道理，重事实的。但在新疆问题上欧洲人罔顾事实，凭空捏造，让我实难理解。我唯一能做出的判断就是欧洲企图借“新疆问题”达到遏华制华的目的。
只要欧洲继续干涉中国的内政，中欧关系就不会稳定，也不会走近。
我认为中欧关系要改善、要发展，必须要解决好以上四个方面的问题。如果在这四个问题上，欧洲能深刻反思，能改变其错误的对华认知和错误的做法，能着眼长远利益的考虑，把中国视为朋友，视为伙伴，视为应对全球各种挑战不可或缺的一方；如果中欧双方都能照顾彼此的利益和关切，都能求同存异，重塑不同社会制度国家合作和相处的新型关系，中欧关系就会行稳致远，中欧的互利合作就会取得巨大的成果，中欧关系也会迈上一个更高的台阶。美国当选总统特朗普前几天讲，中美可以一起合作解决世界上的所有问题。我认为，中欧一起合作也可以在世界上干成许多大事要事和好事。
中美领导人会晤2017年（图源：人民网）
英文版如下：
Although I am now the President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, I have always paid close attention to China-EU relations, because I was the Ambassador of the China to the European Union ten years ago, and I have been doing what I can to promote the improvement of China-EU relations. I have always believed that no matter what differences might exist between China and Europe, we can only enhance mutual understanding and trust through dialogue and communication.
Frankly, I miss the era of China-EU relations that I experienced ten years ago when I was China's ambassador to the EU in Brussels. At that time, China-EU relations were a strategic partnership, with both sides maintaining close contacts in various fields, and growth in mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides shared similar positions, as well as common pursuits, on important issues such as the promotion of global multi-polarity and globalization, as well as the liberalization of trade and investment. At that time, although there were also differences, including trade frictions, they could be properly resolved through dialogue and consultation. Although China and Europe have different social systems, both sides believe that China-EU cooperation is a model of cooperation between different social systems. However, looking at China-EU relations today, a decade later, I feel that things are not as good as they used to be.
The global situation has drastically changed over the past decade. Against this backdrop, although China-EU relations have remained broadly stable, differences and contradictions between the two sides have increased on politics, economy and stances on international issues. This has affected both mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation between the two sides.
The main problems in the current Sino-European relations, in my opinion, are as follows:
First, the problem of Europe's perception of China. In the past, China was a partner of Europe, but now Europe regards China as a rival, as the greatest challenge, and even as a threat. Europe defines Sino-European relations from this perception; formulating policies and handling Sino-European relations under such a mindset will only cause China and Europe to drift farther apart. China has always regarded Europe as a partner and an important force in international affairs; this view has never been shaken by changing geopolitical winds. China has never proactively challenged European interests, nor has it ever done anything to harm Europe. I think that if Sino-European relations are to improve, Europe must first change its wrong perception of China. This is a precondition for China-EU relations to move forward.
Secondly, Europe has adopted wrong policies on economic and trade cooperation with China. Influenced by the aforementioned wrong perception of China, Europe has adopted a policy of “de-risking” against China over the past few years. This policy has seriously restricted economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, especially in the field of high technology. Europe has become less willing to cooperate with China, investment in China has decreased, the threshold for Chinese capital to enter Europe has been raised, and restrictions on technical cooperation between China and Europe have been added. Europe's trade protectionism against China has increased. Since October last year, the EU has used 40 restrictive economic and trade measures against China. The new European Commission has put more emphasis on “economic security” and intends to further escalate restrictive measures in areas such as investment review and export control.
The Chinese and European economies are deeply intertwined, and the past few decades have brought enormous benefits to both sides in terms of trade, investment and technical cooperation.Today, the economic interdependence of all countries in the world is actually deepening rather than diminishing. We are all in the same global industrial chain, and China is an inextricable hub of the chain.In such a situation, the European policy of “de-risking” and “reducing dependence” on China, and emphasizing “economic security”, is neither wise nor timely. It is an artificial attempt to unravel the world's long-established trend of interdependence. If Europe continues to politicize and securitize economic and trade issues, it will ultimately damage itself.
Third, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has impacted Sino-European relations. Many European countries now regard China's attitude towards the conflict as a precondition for the improvement of Sino-European relations. Some European leaders have even threatened that China will pay a heavy price if it continues to support Russia. Linking Sino-European relations with the Russia-Ukraine conflict is obviously European self-delusion.
China is not a party to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. China has been doing its part to promote peace and talks, and has made unremitting efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. China has not provided a single weapon, not a single soldier, to either side of the conflict. China strictly controls the export of dual-use goods to both sides of the conflict; China has strict restrictions on the export of drones, even civilian drones.The Americans say that “China supports Russia's defense infrastructure”, but can they show any evidence of this? The recent EU sanctions against several Chinese companies involved in Russia have no basis in fact. China does maintain normal economic and trade relations with Russia. Aren't there a number of countries in Europe that still maintain trade relations with Russia and still buy Russian oil and gas? Does maintaining normal trade and economic relations with Russia mean supporting Russia? Can Europe accept this logic?
It is untenable to talk about Russia as part of China-EU relations, and it will also add new difficulties to the improvement of relations. Europeans should know very well that China-EU relations have been in serious decline even before the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Russia-Ukraine conflict should not be an obstacle to the development of Sino-European relations.
Fourth, Europe has been brazenly interfering in China's domestic affairs. In recent years, Europe has continuously interfered in China's internal affairs and committed acts that undermine China's sovereignty.These European actions have seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and have repeatedly jeopardized Sino-European relations.
The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and its core interest, and no one is allowed to interfere in it. The Europeans are well aware of this. All European countries that have diplomatic relations with China have pledged to abide by the “one China” principle. However, some European politicians, out of hostility towards China, are trying to split Taiwan from China. In February this year, the European Parliament actually passed a resolution, blatantly challenging the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of resolution 2758 on the restoration of China's lawful rights in the United Nations and the principle of “one China”. This is a serious infringement on China's sovereignty and a naked act of supporting separatism in China. Several European countries also sent warships to sail through the Taiwan Strait from time to time, openly provoking China on the Taiwan issue. If the European Union, the European Parliament or European countries challenge the “one China” principle and engage in attempts to split China, this would be a major hurdle that China-EU relations will never be able to overcome. Not only will Sino-European relations fail to improve, but there will also be further regression. European countries and Europeans must have a clear understanding of this point.
Europe is also accustomed to lecturing China on issues relating to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet, which are China's domestic affairs. Europe keeps meddling in Hong Kong affairs, interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs and discrediting China's policy towards Hong Kong. In order to attack Hong Kong, the European Parliament passed a resolution to revoke Hong Kong's special tariff treatment. On the Tibet issue, some European countries and politicians have long been supporting the Tibetan independence forces in their effort to split China. On the Xinjiang issue, the Europeans have ignored the region's development and changes in rencent years, repeatedly accusing Xinjiang of engaging in “forced labor” and banning the import of products such as cotton and tomatoes from the region. I used to think that Europeans value reason and facts. However, on the Xinjiang issue, the Europeans have disregarded the facts and made things up out of thin air, which is really hard for me to understand. The only conclusion I can make is that Europe is trying to use the “Xinjiang issue” for the purpose of attacking China.
As long as Europe continues to meddle and interfere in China's internal affairs, Sino-European relations will not be stabilized, nor will they improve.
I believe that in order to improve and develop Sino-European relations, the above four issues must be resolved. If Europe can deeply reflect on these four issues, change its wrong perception of China and wrong practices, and consider China as a friend, a partner, and an indispensable party in dealing with various global challenges with an eye on long-term interests; if China and Europe can take each other's interests and concerns into consideration, and seek common ground while reserving differences, so as to recreate a new model of cooperative relationship between countries with different social systems, China-EU relations will be stable and sustainable, mutually beneficial cooperation will achieve great results, and China-EU relations will move to a higher level. US President-elect Donald Trump said a few days ago that China and the United States can work together to solve all the problems in the world. I believe that China and the EU, working together, can also accomplish many important and good things in the world.
