Ambassador’s Corner

On 22 May, EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo attended at an event hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China and the People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province, to mark the International Day of Biological Diversity in Yichun, Heilongjiang. Addressing the audience, Ambassador Toledo emphasized the urgency for action to fight biodiversity loss and the need for joint leadership of the EU and China for global implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The EU and its Member States are the main providers of international biodiversity funding worldwide. Scaling up public and private financing to support GBF implementation is a key priority for the EU. Ambassador Toledo encouraged China to increase its contribution to global biodiversity finance efforts, beyond the Kunming Fund. The EU and China have a long history of bilateral and multilateral cooperation on biodiversity, which has gained even more importance in light of global challenges.

On 14 January, EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo joined the panel “Europe and Asia in a Changing Global Economy”, organized by the European Central Bank (ECB), Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Bank of Finland on the side-lines of the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong. As the EU and China mark 50 years of relations in 2025, this is a pivotal moment to tackle challenges, uphold commitments, and foster fair competition for a sustainable and stable future. The EU and China bear immense responsibility for shaping global security, sustainability, and development.

On 17 December, the EU Delegation hosted the closing event of the second phase of the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project. EU Ambassador to China, Jorge Toledo, noted that the EU and China share a long history of cooperation in aviation. Sustainable aviation should be high on our agenda. In this field, it is our mutual interest to cooperate at international level. More information about this event: Press Release: EU and China close aviation partnership project

On 21 November, the EU Delegation to China opened the door to the now yearly recurring Model EU-China Summit in collaboration with Tsinghua University, providing students with an insightful opportunity to experience EU-China relations firsthand. The event underscored the great importance of dialogue in enhancing mutual understanding and improving cooperation between the parties. EU Ambassador Jorge Toledo welcomed the participants, stressing the importance of such exchanges in shaping the future of EU-China ties, which now lies in a very delicate stage. The students, role-playing as EU and Chinese leaders, engaged in intensive and heated negotiations on key issues, including trade, climate change, and human rights. Their discussions ended with a mock press conference, where students acting as journalists posed challenging questions, testing the leaders’ knowledge and capabilities.

On 22 October 2024, the Delegation of the European Union to China opened its doors to a group of students, including fellows of the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD program and students from the "Language and Practice" programme of Beijing Foreign Studies University. The EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo welcomed the students and outlined the mission and role of the EU Delegation in the context of diplomatic relations between the EU and China. Representatives of different sections of the Delegation provided the students with an analysis of the EU-China relations on political, trade, green transition and development matters. During this event, students had the opportunity to raise questions and deepen their understanding of current affairs.

On 21 October 2024, EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo attended the Financial Street Forum, Global Fin-tech Conference 2024 in Beijing. He spoke at the parallel session “International Green Development Forum” (see full speech), providing an overview of cooperation between the EU and China on green finance and encouraging stronger international cooperation to accelerate global green transition. Global warming, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation are challenges that demand immediate and coordinated action across sectors and borders. The Common Ground Taxonomy, developed in collaboration between the EU and China, represents a shared understanding of what constitutes sustainable economic activities and lays the foundation for greater alignment between our financial systems. We must create actionable frameworks that can guide the future of green finance.

Between 13 and 15 June, the Heads of Missions of the EU Delegation and EU Members States in China traveled to Chengdu, Sichuan province, for a working retreat and meetings with provincial and city authorities. The three-day trip included meetings with the Governor of Sichuan Mr Huang Qiang, the Secretary of the Communist Party of China in Chengdu Mrs Shi Xiaolin, the Mayor of Chengdu, Mr Wang Fengchao, as well as with the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China and European businesses operating in Sichuan province. EU Heads of Mission were invited to visit the Chengdu Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Aerofugia and Airbus industrial facilities as wells as the Business and Innovation Centre of China-Europe Cooperation (CCEC).

On 8 March 2024, the EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo was honoured to join the “Symposium on Financing for a Gender-Equal Future”, hosted by UN Women China, the Center for China and Globalization and China's Global Development Promotion Centre of CIDCA. The EU champions gender equality within and outside our borders. By 2025, 85% of our new projects will contribute to gender equality & women's empowerment.