Harmony and Evaluation | China Europe Joins Hands to Benefit the World

In order to further promote personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries, serve high-quality development, and open up to the outside world at a high level, China has decided to pilot the expansion of the scope of unilateral visa free countries and implement a unilateral visa free policy for individuals holding ordinary passports from six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. From December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, individuals holding ordinary passports from the aforementioned countries who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days are eligible for visa free entry.
This is a measure for China to further expand its opening-up, demonstrating China's determination to promote personnel exchanges and economic and trade exchanges between China and foreign countries. It has been proven that politicizing economic and trade issues and adopting protectionist measures are detrimental to all parties involved. In the current era full of challenges and tests, this approach is futile and can only increase difficulties, which is not helpful in resolving differences. On the contrary, engaging in dialogue, strengthening cooperation, and overcoming difficulties together are the ways for the steady development and further upgrading of economic and trade relations. In terms of world peace and global economic development, strengthening contact and cooperation between China and Europe has become increasingly important.
China has always regarded Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world, supporting EU strategic autonomy, European development and growth, and the process of European integration. There is no geopolitical conflict or fundamental conflict of interests between China and Europe. Both sides are partners rather than opponents, and cooperation far outweighs differences. Both parties can enhance mutual trust through communication and dialogue, and resolve differences through friendly negotiations.
It is normal for China and EU countries to have differences. However, these differences must not hinder cooperation between both sides and must not become obstacles to the development of friendship between the two peoples. As long as China and Europe join hands, camp confrontation will not occur, world division will not occur, and a "new cold war" cannot be fought.
The current development of Sino French relations has set an example for China and Europe to work together to establish mutual trust and promote cooperation. If the entire EU can learn from France's approach, it will help promote the strengthening of China Europe relations. In an era of turmoil and interweaving, this will be the gospel of the world.
This article is translated from the November 27th editorial of China Daily