On November 5, the Agricultural Forum of the 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce, was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The theme of the forum was "High-quality Development of Agricultural International Trade in an Uncertain External Environment."

Gao Zhikai, a chair professor at Soochow University and vice chairman of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), when talking about Sino-European relations and agricultural trade cooperation, stated that the European Union should not always put "geopolitics" on their lips. "The leaders of the EU should truly strive for their own people, rather than for other countries. This is crucial," he said.

On the other hand, Gao Zhikai emphasized that from China's perspective, "we have always respected Europe very much. For example, in Beijing, the buses use European standards. We are very humble in learning from Europe."

Gao Zhikai mentioned that China is the third largest market for Norwegian seafood products. "I hope that in a few years, China will become the largest market for Norwegian seafood products. The relationship between China and Norway is currently at its best time. Moreover, Norway is not a member of the EU, and Norway's decision on its policy toward China is not influenced by Brussels. This is important," he said.

"For the EU, don't always put 'geopolitics' on your lips. Do more practical things. China has always emphasized that development is the hard truth for several decades. Europe should also emphasize that development is the hard truth," Gao Zhikai said.

He stated that many European countries' agricultural products, such as cheese, have a good market in China. "If they really put the Chinese market in their hearts, they should treat China equally, and not view China with an ideological or geopolitical eye. China and the EU are not competitors. Therefore, close cooperation between China and the EU, mutual learning, and taking each other's strengths to make up for weaknesses, is the right path," he said.

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