China's development provides an enormous opportunity for the European Union and it is a pity that EU President Donald Tusk has failed to realize that. He said recently that China represents an external threat to Europe, an accusation which is groundless as well as outrageous.

Both sides have benefited from their strong and stable ties. Following a dramatic increase in trade in recent years, the EU is now China's biggest trading partner, and China is the EU's second biggest.

With a fragile economy, the rising threat of protectionism and uncertainty in relations with other major world powers, the EU can continue to benefit significantly from forging stronger relations with China.