女士们，先生们，朋友们，

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

无论国际形势如何变化，欧洲始终是国际舞台上的一支重要力量。虽然当前欧洲遇到一些困难和挑战，但我们注意到，欧洲正努力排除各种干扰，坚定推进一体化进程，欧洲经济也保持了复苏势头。我们对欧洲发展的前景充满信心，始终把对欧关系作为中国外交的优先方向之一，坚定支持欧洲一体化进程，支持一个团结、稳定、繁荣的欧盟在国际事务中发挥更大作用。

Whatever change may take place in the international landscape, Europe remains an important force on the international arena. We can see that despite the difficulties, challenges and distractions it faces, Europe is making efforts to stay focused and press ahead with its integration process. Its economy has sustained the momentum of recovery. China has full confidence in the future of Europe. China-Europe relationship is always one of our diplomatic priorities. We firmly support European integration and support a united, stable and prosperous EU in playing a still bigger role in international affairs.

今年是中欧关系第五个十年的开局之年，回首过去四十年，中欧两大国际力量发生了翻天覆地的变化。最初的欧洲煤钢共同体已经发展成涵盖欧洲28国5亿人口的欧洲联盟，中国也从积贫积弱走向改革开放，实现了巨大发展。四十多年来，中欧关系取得巨大进展，平等互利、合作共赢成为中欧关系稳定健康发展的重要经验。四十年前，中欧政治关系从零开始，最初接触中因意识形态差异而步履维艰；四十年后，中欧已成为全面战略伙伴，双方高层互访频繁，在70多个不同领域、不同层级的对话磋商机制中"无话不谈"。四十年前，中欧双边贸易额不足30亿美元；四十年后，双边贸易额增长200倍达到近6000亿美元，两天就可实现过去一年的贸易额，欧盟连续12年保持中国最大贸易伙伴地位，中国则连续13年位居欧盟第二大贸易伙伴。四十年前，中欧人员往来凤毛麟角，中国对于大多数欧洲人只是一个遥远的东方传说；四十年后，中国与欧盟28个成员国间的双向人员往来规模达641万人次，中欧人员往来便利化稳步推进，中欧关系的民意基础愈发坚实。

This year marks the beginning of the fifth decade of China-Europe relations. Looking back at the past four decades, we see a sea change in both Europe and China, two major forces in the world. The European Coal and Steel Community has now evolved into a union, covering 500 million people of 28 countries, while China, once a weak and poor country, has experienced exciting development since it launched its reform and opening-up program. Over the past 40-odd years, China-Europe relations have come a long way. Equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation hold the key to the stable and healthy growth of China-Europe relations. Forty years ago, political relations between us were virtually non-existent and engagement was difficult in the early days due to ideological differences. Forty years on, China and Europe have become comprehensive strategic partners who enjoy frequent high-level visits and conduct wide-ranging conversations in more than 70 dialogue and consultation mechanisms spanning different areas andat different levels. Forty years ago, two-way trade between China and Europe was less than three billion US dollars. Forty years on, the figure grew 200-fold to nearly 600 billion US dollars, which means the annual trade volume in the past is now easily done in just two days. The EU has remained China's top trading partner for 12 years on end, while China has remained the EU's second largest trading partner for 13 years in a row. Forty years ago, few visits were exchanged between our people. China in the eyes of most Europeans was merely a remote Oriental legend. Forty years on, two-way personnel exchanges between China and the 28 EU member states top 6.41 million. Steady progress is being made in facilitating the travel of our people, further cementing popular support for China-Europe relations.