Inspired by each other: The China-Europe story since reform and opening-up

The China factor

The reform and opening up has a ripple effect. As far as in Europe, businesses are enjoying its benefits, with the pioneers who began to work with China reaping rich dividends.

BMW Brilliance Automotive, a joint venture of the BMW Group and a Chinese partner, was founded in Northeast China 15 years ago. Today, it is BMW's largest manufacturing base outside Germany, with a turnover of more than two million vehicles.

The key to the success is BMW's localization strategy, Johann Wieland, president and CEO of BMW Brilliance Automotive, said.

Another foreign giant, Airbus, is also deeply entrenched in China. The northern city of Tianjin is home to an Airbus final assembly line, the first outside Europe, as well as an Airbus A330 completion and delivery center.

After delivering 354 A320s by the beginning of 2018, Airbus is committed to raising A320 production in Tianjin.

Another pioneer that chose to build a base in China is Nokia. The Finnish company has around 20,000 employees in China, with half of them engaged in research and development.

Nokia is now sending its products from China to the rest of the world, and is one of China's largest technology exporters, Nokia Chairman Risto Siilasmaa said.