The event, co-organised by the Parliament Magazine and Huawei, was hosted by Jo Leinen, chair of parliament's People's Republic of China delegation, who kicked off the celebrations by saying, "this year marks 40 years of relations between the EU and China, and I believe we will hold many meetings and celebrations as this relationship has grown and achieved many objectives".
However, he added that "we are not yet where we want to be - there is high potential for a more intensified and deeper relationship".
The German deputy noted that an EU-China summit will be held later this year, saying he hoped this would lead the way for "a new roadmap and a new strategy for an overall comprehensive cooperation" between the two partners.
Leinen underlined that, "at the end of the year there will be an important climate conference in Paris, and we know that without China and without the EU, there will be no climate deal, so I hope that our diplomats can work together".
"At the end of the year there will be an important climate conference in Paris, and we know that without China and without the EU, there will be no climate deal, so I hope that our diplomats can work together" - Jo Leinen
He also said, "we are in the age of the internet - the new industrial revolution", explaining that he was "very pleased to be in the offices of Huawei, a company that has been growing very fast".
He pointed out that, "in our priorities for 2020 we cite the digital union, and I know [Huawei] is working on digital China, and I hope China and digital Europe can cooperate, given all the knowledge and technologies we have to share".
The head of the Chinese mission to the EU, ambassador Yang Yanyi also spoke, expressing her "deep appreciation to Huawei for fulfilling its mission to build a better connected world and the Parliament Magazine for serving as a bridge between Chinese and European parliamentarians, as well as business communities".
She said the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations was the perfect opportunity to mark "the bright prospect of a comprehensive joint China-EU partnership". The ambassador said that, "there is well placed optimism in the air" with regards the relationship between both partners and this will only "gain strength and scale new heights in excellence" in the coming years.
She used the metaphor of a running train to describe the "remarkable performance" of China's economy, which she said is "not losing speed or momentum but is being powered by a stronger dynamo and running with great steadiness". She also noted that this view is shared by the World Bank which has said China is "well positioned" to be become a high income society by 2030.
The ambassador believed the future development of the Chinese economy "will be far reaching in its impact" and praised the EU's leadership for moving from the crisis management of recent years to a new approach focused on the future challenges of competitiveness and stimulating investment in job creation.
The ambassador emphasised, "The growing interest in promoting communication and cooperation between Chinese and European businesses and entrepreneurs is overwhelming." She highlighted that the key to advancing China-EU relations will be "bold vision, strategic guidance and strong leadership by our leaders".
"The growing interest in promoting communication and cooperation between Chinese and European businesses and entrepreneurs is overwhelming" - Ambassador Yang Yanyi
The visits of senior EU officials, she noted, were evidence of "a large reservoir of goodwill and enthusiasm to intensify coordination and unleash the potential of our mutually beneficial cooperation".
The Chinese telecoms sector was "greatly encouraged by the assurance of the EU that China would be the EU's most important partner for information, communications and technological cooperation", following recent high level visits.
The ambassador noted that China and the EU already have a strategic partnership in the future 5G market and both partners will work more closely on projects such as smart cities, smart energy and the internet of things. She said the example of Huawei demonstrated "sincerity and commitment" from Chinese business to investment in Europe.
She concluded by emphasising that her mission "fully supports" greater business ties between China and the EU and "stands ready to work with all our partners to advance our collective objectives of peace and prosperity for all".
"Huawei is proud to actively work with European companies to help them apply for research and development funds in China" - Chen Lifang
Chen Lifang, president of the public affairs and communications department and corporate senior vice-president of Huawei also addressed guests, sharing that, "Europe is an important destination for Huawei and is also our global computing centre".
She said the company "currently has over 9000 employees in Europe, most of them local", revealing that last year, Huawei "invested around €3.3bn in Europe", an amount which the company plans to increase in future.
Lifang added, "we are looking forward to working together with EU institutions, governments in member states and industrial partners in order to build a better connected Europe".
She explained that "Huawei proactively advocates cooperation in the ICT industry between the EU and China" and that "an agreement of standards between [the two regions] would result in huge savings for companies and both sides and also benefit consumers".
She also underlined that "Huawei is proud to actively work with European companies to help them apply for research and development funds in China".
Furthermore, Lifang told guests in attendance that her company "has been working to ensure that it fully complies with rules and regulations and the delivery of products and services safeguarding customers' data and their customers' privacy", noting that Huawei has been present in Europe for "15 years".
The night in pictures
Photos: Jean-Yves Limet 2015