On October 8, 2014, the new EU China Friendship Association held its inaugural reception in the European Parliament. Ambassador Yang Yanyi, Head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, attended and delivered a speech. More than 100 people attended the event, including President Dewar of the EU China Friendship Association, Vice President Vaughn of the EU China Friendship Association, Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Parliament on Relations with China Ryan, members of the EU China Friendship Association, other members and assistants of the European Parliament, diplomats of the mission, and Chinese and foreign media reporters.

At present, the two sides are working together to deepen the China EU comprehensive strategic partnership. China has just celebrated the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and is vigorously promoting comprehensive reform and structural adjustment to realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The EU is actively seeking change under the guidance of the new leadership. Both China and the EU have entered a new stage of development. The two sides should further strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation, jointly promote the China EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and safeguard world peace, prosperity and progress.

Ambassador Yang Yanyi spoke highly of the efforts made by the EU China Friendship Association over the years to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and the Chinese people, and expressed the hope that the EU China Friendship Association would continue to play a leading role in the European Parliament in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and strengthen China Europe legislative bodies and people to people exchanges, communication and cooperation. The Chinese Mission to the EU looks forward to more active interaction with the new parliament, especially the new EU China Friendship Association, so as to lay a more solid foundation for China EU friendship and make greater contributions to deepening the four major partnerships of peace, growth, reform and civilization between China and Europe.

President Deva, Vice President Vaughn of the EU China Friendship Association and Acting Head of Delegation to China Ryan delivered warm speeches. They said that China is the second largest trading partner of the EU, and the EU is China's largest trading partner. The quality of China EU relations directly affects a large number of investment and employment opportunities of both sides. The peaceful, harmonious and sustainable development of China EU relations serves the common interests of the Chinese and European people. The essence of EU China friendship is mutual respect, sincere treatment, mutual reference and mutual learning. The new EU China Friendship Association will uphold this spirit, further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese Mission to the EU and other Chinese departments, and jointly play a greater role in promoting the healthy development of EU China relations.

The atmosphere was warm and friendly. Members of the European Parliament who participated in the event said that Europe and China are important partners that are indispensable to each other. Only by enhancing mutual understanding and deepening cooperation in various fields can we continue to promote the development of China EU relations and play a greater role together on the world stage. The parliamentarians are willing to work with China to create a bright future for EU China relations.