J?rg Monar, rector of the College of Europe, stressed the important role China played in the development of European Union during his speech. [Photo by Liu Jun/Guangming Daily]

Beijing expressed its "faith and confidence"?towards Brussels 40 years ago when the sides established diplomatic relations, which was taken as a timely "impetus" for fledging European integration, said a senior European scholar.

J?rg Monar, rector of the College of Europe said during the period when China and the European Economic Community established relations in 1975, the EEC was not yet recognized by the world as an international player. Inside the community, there still remained doubts about the future of European integration.

"The fact that the Chinese government signed the document to establish diplomatic relations at that time was actually an act of faith and confidence?towards the future of the European Communities as an international force," Monar said at the opening of a celebration of 40 years of China- EU Relations in photographs in Bruges.

On April 1 last year President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech in the College of Europe when he wrapped up his European tour, urging both sides to forge a partnership of peace, growth, reform and civilization.

Monar stressed the importance of China's role in the development of the European Union, saying the establishment of diplomatic relations with China helped European Communities establish their international position, so it occupied a specific place in the history of EU.