26 December 2024
Welcome to the China-EU dynamics! This is the last edition of 2024, we wish you a happy new year! Let's firstly delve into the highlights of China’s annual Central Economic Work Conference. Then we will exlplore the recent engagements between China and the world. Our ambassador's latest Op-Ed is also not to be missed. Enjoy the read!
MAJOR TOPICS IN CHINA
Priorities for the economic work in the coming year. The annual Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing last week. President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, providing a critical assessment of 2024’s economic performance while setting the tone for the coming year. Key takeaways:
► 9 strategic priorities for 2025:
● Vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency and expand domestic demand on all fronts
● Drive the development of new quality productive forces through scientific and technological innovation and build a modernized industrial system.
● Give full play to the driving role of economic system reform and ensure that landmark reform measures are effectively implemented.
● Expand high-standard opening up while keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable.
● Effectively prevent and defuse risks in key areas to ensure that no systemic risks occur.
● Pursue coordinated progress in new urbanization and all-around rural revitalization and promote integrated urban-rural development.
● Strengthen the implementation of regional strategies and boost regional development vitality.
● Cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development and boost economic growth in a concerted manner, and ramp up the green transition in economic and social development.
● Efforts should be made to ensure and improve the people's wellbeing, and give the people a growing sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.
► How will China achieve economic growth in 2025?
● Boosting domestic demand and improving investment efficiency
● Advancing technological innovation and modern industrial systems
● Deepening reform and expanding opening-up
● Ensuring risk mitigation and social stability
● Accelerating green development
25 years of development under "One Country, Two Systems". December 20 marks the 25th Anniversary of Macao's Return to Motherland. Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the enormous transformation that has taken place in Macao since its return to the motherland in 1999 during his celebration and inspection tour to the Macao SAR, emphasizing that "one country, two systems" is a good policy that helps maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, serves the noble cause of building a stronger country and achieving national rejuvenation, and promotes peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between different social systems. He also urges Macao youth to be builders, successors of “one country, two systems”.
What has Macao changed during the past 25 years? The young generation have their words.
DIALOGUES BETWEEN CHINA AND EUROPE
Tighter China-France relations. Chinese FM Wang Yi co-chaired the 26th China-France Strategic Dialogue with diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Bonne in Beijing on December 14.
Wang said China is willing to work together with France to ensure that the China-France relations continue to serve as a driving force for the development of China-Europe relations and the promotion of world peace and stability. He proposed four points: first, take the consensus of the two heads of state as a guide and create more positive bilateral agendas; second, solidly promote pragmatic cooperation, make good use of the traditional advantages of both sides, and explore new prospects for cooperation in new quality productive forces; third, continue to reap the positive effects of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges; and fourth, jointly uphold multilateralism.
Bonne said that France attaches great importance to the traditional friendship and mutual trust between France and China, and will adhere to the one-China policy, maintain close high-level exchanges with China and ensure the success of the mechanisms for dialogue.
Closer iron-clad friends. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djurić on December 20.
Wang said China and Serbia are iron-clad friends and the bilateral ties conform to the correct direction of history. China is constantly improving its high-level opening-up system and will provide new cooperation opportunities for Serbia and other countries in the world. China will continue to firmly support Serbia in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and will support Serbia's development and growth.
Djurić said that Serbia will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy and firmly support China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports all major initiatives put forward by China as well as the promotion of cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries.
Deeper China-EU cooperation. The 19th Meeting of China-EU Round Table, themed “Promoting the Continued Development of China-EU Economic Cooperation” and “Strengthening Cooperation in the Field of Circular Economy”, was held in Beijing.
Delegates from the European Economic and Social Committee(EESC), led by EESC President Oliver Röpke, exchanged views with their counterparts from the China Economic and Social Council.
CHINA'S POSITION ON THE CURRENT SITUATION IN SYRIA
During a joint press conference with Egyptian FM Badr Abdelatty, Chinese FM Wang Yi said that China supports the early realization of peace in Syria, and supports the country in finding a rebuilding plan that meets the wishes of the people through inclusive dialogue. China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria, never interfered in Syria's internal affairs, and respected the choice of the Syrian people. Hope the Security Council resolution 2254 will be implemented, and the future Syria should firmly oppose all forms of terrorism and extremist forces. All countries should work together to extend a helping hand to Syria, push for the lifting of the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on the country over the years, and ease its grave humanitarian situation.
CHINA OPENS ITS DOOR WIDER
NEWS FROM OUR MISSION
Op-Ed of Ambassador Cai Run: China’s New Economic Development Offers New Opportunities for China-EU Cooperation
▶️China’s economy has remained generally stable and has progressed steadily this year.
▶️The fundamentals of China’s long-term economic growth remain unchanged.
▶️China is ready to share the development opportunities with Europe and the wider world.
POINTS OF VIEW
China’s extended visa-free tourist stays drive momentum for opening
Offensive strategy: The EU’s economic security
Europe’s prosperity stemmed from open trade. This is how Europe thrived in the past and how it can thrive again.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of China or our Mission, except those from the official website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, our Mission and other Chinese governmental websites.
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