2 September 2024
Welcome back to China-EU Dynamics! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. In this edition, we will explore the major events in China's domestic and foreign affairs in the past few weeks. We will also get in details into Xizang's rapid development during the passed decades through a series of numbers. The amazing performances of Chinese and European athletes in Paris Olympic Games are not to miss. Enjoy reading!
Adhering to the path of reform and opening up
Chinese President Xi Jinping lauded the outstanding contributions of late leader Deng Xiaoping and urged advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics initiated by Deng, as the country marked Deng's 120th birth anniversary.
Deng's reform and opening-up policy was officially launched in December 1978, paving the way for China's future growth. His southern tour in 1992, especially his visit to Shenzhen, Guangdong province, pushed China's reform and opening-up further at a critical juncture.
According to Xi, Deng's achievements have been immortalized in history and will always inspire future generations. He called for continuing to study and apply Deng Xiaoping Theory, the series of political and economic ideologies that play an important role in modern China, such as opening up to the outside world, the implementation of "one country, two systems", and advocating political and economic pragmatism through the phrase "seek truth from facts".
Xi also reiterated China's commitment to promoting world peace, saying that the nation will provide new opportunities for the world with new progress in Chinese modernization.
Long live China-Africa friendship
The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. President Xi will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. The leaders of China and Africa will gather around the theme "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future" to celebrate friendship and chart the way forward for cooperation.
In recent years, infrastructure cooperation between China and Africa is thriving, the outcome is changing the lives of millions. The infrastructure projects assisted by China are spread throughout African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, etc, creating a stronger foundation for a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.
In a reply to scholars from 50 African countries, President Xi noted that in the face of a volatile and intertwined world situation, China and Africa need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation more than ever before. The upcoming Summit of the FOCAC will bring together Chinese and African leaders once again to discuss China-Africa cooperation, which will open up even more splendid prospects for China-Africa relations. He also encouraged the scholars to continue to provide intellectual support for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future and safeguarding the common interests of the Global South.
New Round of China-U.S. Strategic Communication
At the invitation of Chinese FM Wang Yi, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited China from August 27 to 29 for a new round of China-U.S. strategic communication. This is the first visit to China by a national security advisor to the U.S. President after eight years and the first visit to China by Sullivan in his term.
President Xi met with him on August 29. Xi emphasized:
-First, when China and the U.S. engage with each other, the No.1 issue is to develop a right strategic perception, and find a good answer to the overarching question: Are China and the U.S. rivals or partners?
-Second, in this changing and turbulent world, countries need solidarity and coordination, not division or confrontation. People want openness and progress, not exclusion or regress. China and the U.S. should be responsible for history, for the people and for the world.
-Third, China's commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged, its principle in handling the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation remains unchanged, its position of firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged, and its efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remain unchanged.
FM Wang Yi held strategic communication with Sullivan on August 27 and 28. The two sides had six sessions, totaling more than 11 hours. He summed up the experience and lessons as "five keys":
-First, the key to keeping the China-U.S. relations to the right direction lies in the guidance and stewardship of the two presidents;
-Second, the key to avoiding conflict and confrontation between China and the United States lies in abiding by the three joint communiques;
-Third, the key to smooth interactions between China and the United States lies in treating each other as equals;
-Fourth, the key to a steady and sustained China-U.S. relationship lies in cementing the popular foundation;
-Fifth, the key to peaceful coexistence between China and the United States lies in developing a right perception.
Opposition to EU's unfair tariffs on EVs
On August 20, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce criticized the European Commission's draft definitive findings of its so-called anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs, saying that China firmly opposes the EU's wrong move and vowing to take all necessary measures to safeguard Chinese businesses' legitimate rights and interests. The spokesperson pointed out that EU commission's anti-subsidy investigation process on Chinese EVs did not comply with the rules of the WTO and was an act of "unfair competition" under the guise of "fair competition." The wrong practice will disrupt the stability of the global automotive supply chain and harm the interests of European consumers, and will also undermine the EU's green transformation and global cooperation in addressing climate change.
Exciting Paris Olympics
The Paris Olympics have come to a close. In this quadrennial sports event, both China and European countries achieved good results. The Chinese team ranked second on the medal tally, with the number of gold medals tied with the United States for first place. Among the top ten countries on the medal tally were four EU member states: France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany, with the EU as a whole winning more than 300 metals! Click the following video to review the most remarkable moments of the Paris Olympics. Congratulations to all the athletes!
China at a glance
Xizang, a model of high-speed modernization. China's Xizang Autonomous Region has undergone rapid economic and cultural development and demographic dynamics since its peaceful liberation in 1951. Statistical data shows clearly these achievements.
Which are the less-touristy destinations in Europe attract Chinese tourists? Click here to find the answer. A slow and immersive travel in Europe seems to be a better choice.
Ancient road revitalized in new era
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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