DURING one of his visits to Europe, President Xi Jinping referred to tea and wine as beverages symbolising the difference and compatibilities between Chinese and European cultures. Indeed, a cross-civilisation perspective better reflects the new dimension of China-Europe relations in recent years.
China and Europe are considered two major civilisations, as well as two major markets and two major forces in the world today. According to Chinas Policy Paper on the European Union published late last year, the third of its kind since 2003, it is imperative to uphold inter-civilisation dialogue to facilitate mutual learning.