There is, however, a large agenda, including the global financial crisis, over which the two sides could deepen their cooperation.

China has done much to stimulate domestic demand but it still relies on the open EU market for its export-led growth. It is important that the two sides resist calls for protectionism.

On the environment and climate change, China and the EU both recognize the importance of green technology and have narrowed their differences on combating carbon dioxide emissions. China and the EU are engaged in combating piracy off the coast of Somalia. But more could be done in dealing with other regional hotspots, including Iran and Afghanistan.

While there are many areas in which they can work together, one should not have any illusion about the difficulties.

The fundamental asymmetries in their relationship in terms of political systems, economic development, histories and cultures make it difficult to achieve progress.

Progress will depend on increasing mutual understanding, and the misperceptions of each other's motives are a real handicap to EU-China ties. If real progress is to be made, there needs to be a much greater expansion of contacts at all levels. Some useful steps have already been taken, including the launching of a high-level economic and trade dialogue, and EU support for various business schools and EU institutes.

The limited contacts between EU and Chinese think tanks need to be greatly expanded and should be more exchanges and a greater commitment on each side to study the politics, economics and cultures of the other.

EU-China relations will continue to develop and there will be an ever-expanding agenda. But without a greater degree of mutual understanding the relationship will not be able to flourish and benefit both the parties as it could.

Aston's visit could hopefully provide the impetus for an increase in people-to-people contacts.

The author is a senior adviser to the European Policy Center in Brussels.