{"text":[[{"start":7.73,"text":"As the July summit approaches, we must choose cooperation over confrontation"}],[{"start":13.530000000000001,"text":"The EU–China summit on July 24–25 couldn’t come at a more delicate moment. Tensions are rising, mistrust is growing, and economic protectionism is making a comeback. Yet behind the headlines and political slogans, there is a quieter truth: Europe and China need each other more than ever. Our economies are deeply intertwined. Our challenges—climate, technology, supply chains—are too big for either side to face alone. And despite recent friction, there’s still time to reconnect."}],[{"start":52.82,"text":"A relationship worth saving"}],[{"start":55.17,"text":"In 2024, trade between the EU and China nearly hit €800 billion. That number alone shows how important we are to one another. But trade isn’t everything. Over the past few years, direct investments have slowed, and companies on both sides are finding it harder to trust each other. Some of this is political. Some is structural. But the result is the same: we’re drifting apart."}],[{"start":86.57,"text":"It doesn’t have to be this way. There are real success stories—European R&D centers in Shanghai, joint ventures in electric mobility, innovative AI labs connecting researchers from Berlin to Shenzhen. These are not just projects—they’re bridges. And now is the moment to build more of them."}],[{"start":109.27,"text":"What should change—starting now"}],[{"start":112.07,"text":"First, we need a better investment framework. The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, stuck for years, needs a reboot. Let’s call it “CAI 2.0”—updated for today’s world, with clearer rules on sustainability, digital trade, and dispute resolution. Investors don’t need perfection; they need clarity and confidence."}],[{"start":136.51999999999998,"text":"Second, let’s talk honestly about market access. European firms want to do more in China—in logistics, energy, digital services. Chinese firms seek greater access and opportunities in the European market for their international growth. That’s a reasonable ask. But to make it work, we have to move past the idea of “decoupling.” Splitting our economies apart is not only unrealistic —it’s dangerous. What we need is smarter interdependence: resilient supply chains, open standards, and real opportunities for small and medium-sized companies."}],[{"start":174.92,"text":"And more than anything, we need courage. It’s time for both sides to sit down, drop the rhetoric, and co-design a realistic roadmap for mutual benefit. That means confronting the hard issues, accepting asymmetries, and putting long-term goals above short-term pressure."}],[{"start":194.45999999999998,"text":"Third, we have to rethink how we deal with technology. We’re both leaders—in different ways in the field of AI, 5G, clean tech, and electric vehicles. But instead of turning technology into a weapon, we should use it as a tool for trust. Imagine joint research labs, shared standards for trustworthy AI, cooperation on cloud infrastructure and quantum computing—though aligning regulatory frameworks and political priorities will require sustained effort. Imagine what we could achieve if we built together instead of racing apart."}],[{"start":232.04999999999998,"text":"Finding common ground on climate"}],[{"start":235.29,"text":"Here’s something else we share: the planet. Europe and China have both set ambitious climate goals. That’s not just a responsibility we have in common—it’s also a powerful opportunity to shape a greener future together. Why not create a Green Economy Alliance—a platform for working together on green hydrogen, energy efficiency, smart grids, and recycling technologies? We could align our environmental rules, recognize each other’s certifications, and build shared projects with real impact. A cleaner future isn’t just good diplomacy—it’s good business."}],[{"start":273.21999999999997,"text":"Rewiring the connection"}],[{"start":275.15,"text":"Connectivity is no longer just about roads and railways. It’s also about digital cables, smart ports, and trusted data routes. We need better infrastructure between Europe and China—not just to move goods, but to move ideas, services, and people. A joint Smart Connectivity Agenda could open the door to faster trade, better digital cooperation, and a more inclusive economy—especially for startups and SMEs that often get left behind."}],[{"start":309.28999999999996,"text":"That’s why we should also launch a EU–China SME Innovation Platform—a dedicated mechanism to support cross-border collaboration, access to finance, and joint ventures in key sectors such as digital services, advanced manufacturing, and green technology. While large corporations dominate headlines, it is SMEs that drive employment, resilience, and grassroots innovation. Strengthening their role would make the partnership more dynamic, diverse, and future-oriented."}],[{"start":342.06999999999994,"text":"Of course, none of this will happen without trust. And trust doesn’t grow in the dark. It grows through transparency, rule of law, and shared standards. It means protecting intellectual property, respecting contracts, and giving investors—on both sides—reasons to believe in the system."}],[{"start":364.60999999999996,"text":"People matter, too"}],[{"start":366.53999999999996,"text":"We talk a lot about companies and governments. But what about people? If we want long-term cooperation, we have to invest in it—not just with money, but with relationships. Let’s support student exchanges, joint university programs, youth entrepreneur labs. Let’s open up our cultural spaces and fight misinformation with real dialogue. A new EU–China Talent Initiative could give the next generation of leaders the chance to shape this relationship—not inherit its problems."}],[{"start":402.16999999999996,"text":"A different kind of summit"}],[{"start":404.59999999999997,"text":"Too often, EU–China summits end in vague statements and handshakes. This time must be different. The business world is watching. Entrepreneurs, researchers, workers—they all need signals, not slogans. We should walk away from this summit with a clear action plan, a shared roadmap, and a promise to meet again—not once a year, but on a regular basis, ensuring continual review and concrete progress.."}],[{"start":434.33,"text":"This is not just about geopolitics. It’s about growth, stability, and shared progress. It’s about whether we choose to turn inward or move forward—together."}],[{"start":446.65999999999997,"text":"A choice that will define a generation"}],[{"start":449.55999999999995,"text":"If the last century was shaped by the Atlantic, Eurasia will play a defining role in this one. Europe and China can either build walls—or build bridges: digital, green, and human."}],[{"start":463.94999999999993,"text":"A new economic pact is not just a policy option. It’s a necessity. And the decisions we make this July may well shape the future—for both sides, and far beyond."}],[{"start":484.1199999999999,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftmailbox.cn/album/a_1753279843_1933.mp3"}