The cultural relation between the European Union and China

The relationship between the European Union (EU) and China has developed gradually since its establishment in 1975 to become mutual interdependent; China is the EU’s second trading partner, and the EU is China’s biggest trading partner. This relationship has been characterized for being mainly focused on the economic cooperation, with ignorance of other important areas of cooperation such as cultural relations. Recently, important steps have been taken with the establishment of the new institutional instrument of cooperation and the actualization of programs and projects. This article analyzes the development of the bilateral cultural cooperation and identifyes the main successes and weaknesses of this relationship.