Commemorating the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950 which was at the origin of today's European Union - is an important event for us Europeans.

It reminds us of where we started after WW II and it brings us together in our commitment to shape our common future.

Today the European Union is a major global political actor, the largest economy and a major trading power. It is indispensable to support and maintain an open, rules based system of global governance which is the basis for prosperity and sustainable globalisation.

We have made significant progress in facing challenges by strengthening our internal and external security – through the establishment of a Defence Union, the strengthening of our external border management and by stepping up the fight against terrorism.

The key to our prosperity is to maintain and strengthen our competitiveness. Work is under way to complete the architecture of the Economic and Monetary Union, to expand and strengthen our trade and investment partnerships, to implement the blueprints for a digital and an energy union and to foster innovation. At the same time we will continue to give priority to sustainability and social inclusiveness and remain true to our values rooted in democracy and respect for the rule of law and the inviolability of human rights.

No country, no region alone can solve today's problems from security, trade to climate change. The EU's comprehensive strategic partnership with China which was established 15 years ago is an important framework to work together. We do so in many areas – for our bilateral benefit, but also as a shared responsibility to maintain peace and stability, advance global prosperity and safeguard the future of our globe.

Ensuring an open and fair international trading system is essential to both of us. China is commemorating 40 years of reform and opening up this year, which brought about the Chinese miracle. As one of the world's largest economies and the largest trading nation, China could make a huge contribution to keep the framework for trade and investment open by implementing the reforms it has announced; we look forward to strengthening our relationship with China on this basis.

We will have important meetings coming up to further develop our agenda, including our annual Summit. But we also have a strong focus this year on people to people relations with the EU – China Year of Tourism 2018. We have established a "light bridge" to symbolically bring China and Europe closer to each other. After many European sights were lit up in Chinese Red for the Spring Festival we are delighted to see many of China's famous monuments shine in the EU's Blue this week.

Let me finally thank my colleagues, the ambassadors of the 28 member states, for supporting this event which is a second national day for all of them.