China and the European Union are the two major forces driving multipolarity, the two major markets supporting globalization, and the two major civilizations advocating diversity. China Europe relations have become one of the most influential bilateral relationships in the world. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, both sides have made progress and developed together through mutual learning and exchange, and cultural exchanges have been vibrant, providing inexhaustible impetus for the development of China Europe relations.
Civilization dialogue, moving from "exchange" to "integration"
In the courtyard of the Chinese Cultural Center in Paris, the sun shines and the breeze brushes my face. Under the guidance of Professor Zhou Qingjie from the China Foreign Affairs University, the neatly lined up citizens of Paris slowly rose up and practiced Tai Chi, comprehending the concept of "unity of man and nature" from the body movements that combine strength and softness, and speed. After practicing, student Christiana Olan sighed that Tai Chi is not just a sport, but also a "flowing philosophy". "Tai Chi moves smoothly and has a soft rhythm, which can not only enhance physical fitness, but also cultivate oneself. It is a form expression of excellent traditional Chinese culture from the inside out
The dialogue between Chinese and European civilizations is gradually moving beyond lecture halls and books into a wider range of cultural life.
The "Lanting · Yaji" Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition was recently held at the Berlin Chinese Cultural Center. The exhibition hall was crowded with people, and guests stopped in front of the works to appreciate them. They occasionally took photos with their phones to record and picked up brushes to learn how to write. After learning about the event, Fret from the small German town of Celle specially squeezed out time to experience Chinese calligraphy and seal carving art. "So many young Germans on site are full of interest in Chinese calligraphy, which makes people feel the vitality of cultural exchange
In May of this year, three golden monkeys from the Shaanxi Qinling Giant Panda Research Center embarked on a 10-year residency at the Paradise Zoo in Brugret, Belgium, attracting enthusiastic visitors from the local community. I hope to use this opportunity to tell the story of Journey to the West to tourists and introduce the splendid Chinese culture, "said Eric Dongbo, founder and chairman of Paradise Zoo. These three" Monkey Kings "traveled long distances to Belgium, just like a new era of" Journey to the West ". They are ambassadors of Europe China friendship, marking the continuous deepening of cooperation between Europe and China in animal protection and other fields.
Starting from March this year, the Chinese animated film "Ne Zha: The Demonic Children Roar in the Sea" has been released in European countries such as Greece, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, France, and Spain, with impressive box office and word-of-mouth performance; Before and after the Loong Boat Festival, the Loong Boat Race has set off an upsurge in the waters of Germany, France, Hungary, Italy and other countries, and is known as the "important opportunity for cultural exchanges and integration" between China and Europe... The cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Europe are constantly promoting mutual understanding between the people of both sides.
Tourism exchange, crossing mountains and seas in a 'two-way journey'
The 2025 China Tourism Culture Week and China Intangible Cultural Heritage Tourism Creative Exhibition were recently held in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Silaj Szabolch, head of the Legal and Governance Support Department of the Hungarian National Tourism Board, stated that in recent years, the economic, cultural, and tourism ties between Hungary and China have become increasingly close, with China becoming one of Hungary's most important source countries. At present, Budapest has established direct flights with seven cities in China, becoming an important aviation hub connecting Central and Eastern Europe with China. Siraj said that this event is not only a cultural and tourism event, but also a bridge connecting the friendship, cooperation, and mutual trust between Hungary and China.
2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, and both sides have launched the "China Switzerland Cultural and Tourism Year" campaign. Swiss Ambassador to China, Bai Ruiyi, stated that the Swiss Embassy in China plans to carry out cultural and tourism exchange activities in multiple cities in China. Switzerland hopes to welcome more Chinese tourists to visit Switzerland and experience "green tourism" through efficient visa services and sustainable tourism programs.
Miguel Angel, Deputy Director of Valencia Tourism Agency in Spain, said, "We are very concerned about the Chinese market and have registered official accounts on almost all major Chinese social media platforms to introduce our history, culture, and tourism resources to Chinese friends, achieving good results. Valencia has also established friendly cities with Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Xi'an, promoting the development of bilateral relations in multiple fields
The website of the international tourism industry media "Travel and Tourism World" magazine recently published an article stating that the tourism industry between China and Europe is experiencing a strong recovery. On the one hand, European tourists are constantly discovering the profound cultural heritage of China; On the other hand, Chinese tourists are experiencing European tours more deeply, flexibly, and delicately than ever before.
China has implemented a unilateral visa free policy for 24 EU member states, playing a positive role in promoting cultural exchanges, tourism cooperation, and economic and trade exchanges between China and Europe. The personnel exchanges between the two sides have become more frequent, and the civilian exchanges have become closer.
Youth interaction adds youthful vitality to friendship
"Italy and China have communicated through the Silk Road for a long time. This road is not only a channel for trade, but also a bridge between culture and soul." Meng Weilan, a doctoral student from the University of Rome who came to China for exchange in March this year, said that the people of Italy and China respect and appreciate each other, and hope that young people can further play a role in consolidating the profound friendship between the two countries.
The mutual understanding and matchmaking of young people is the hope of China Europe relations. Since the beginning of this year, many young people from European countries such as Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, and Hungary have come to China, measuring China with their footsteps, observing China with their eyes, and sharing friendships and discussions with Chinese youth about the future.
Patrick, the teacher representative of Rockwell Middle School in Ireland who led the team to China, said that such visits and exchanges have deepened the understanding of Irish youth on the relationship between the two countries. They feel the true temperature of China, humanities and the depth of friendship. In the future, the school will organize 20 students to study in China every year.
In European countries, learning Chinese has become a "popular trend": French primary and secondary schools have more than 60 international Chinese classes, and Chinese has become the fifth largest foreign language; Spain is one of the most active countries in the European Union for Chinese language learning, with over 60000 learners
At the 24th "Chinese Bridge" World University Chinese Language Competition held recently in the German division, contestants told their stories with China fluently in Chinese. Ge Jian, a teacher at the Confucius Institute at the University of Frankfurt, sighed: "It is gratifying that students learn and love China through Chinese, while also gaining valuable friendships and life experiences." German youth He Bende said that learning Chinese has broadened his horizons, better understood the world, and allowed him to tell more real Chinese stories to European people.
In the face of global uncertainty, cultural exchanges between China and Europe are not only a driving force for bilateral relations, but also provide inspiration for the diverse coexistence of global civilizations.
The differences between civilizations are not obstacles, but rather sources that inspire creativity. The exhibition "I.M. Pei: Life is Like Architecture" is currently on display at the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art. The glass pyramid of the Louvre designed by I.M. Pei not only embodies the philosophical ideas of Eastern creation, but also showcases the pioneering spirit of France; The new Suzhou Museum he designed not only inherits the wisdom of "borrowing scenery" in Eastern gardens, but also conforms to the modernist concept of German architect Mies van der Rohe's "less is more", becoming a classic example of cross-cultural aesthetics. French artist Guillaume Bourquin drew inspiration from Chinese calligraphy and transformed Western writing into a visual language, creating an aesthetic atmosphere similar to Chinese landscape painting and forming a unique style of "text painting". Burkan said, "In the face of global challenges, we need to further deepen mutual learning among civilizations to jointly address them
(Madrid, Paris, Berlin, July 21st)
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