18 May 2024
Welcome to China-EU Dynamics! In this edition, we will follow the footsteps of President Xi Jinping to France, Serbia and Hungary to explore his fruitful trip in Europe! Enjoy reading!
Warm welcome
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal greeted President Xi at the airport with "Nihao," the Chinese word for hello. Chinese residents and students in France voluntarily lined the streets to warmly welcome President Xi.
Serbian President Vučić personally greeted President Xi at the airport. More than 15,000 Serbian people waved national flags of China and Serbia on the square in front of the Palace of Serbia, expressing the warmest welcome to President Xi.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warmly shook hands with President Xi at the airport. The people of Hungary spontaneously gathered, waving red flags and displaying banners, to warmly welcome President Xi Jinping.
Fruitful Visit
During the five-days visit, President Xi Jinping had in-depth exchanges with the leaders of France, Serbia and Hungary, reaching consensus on a series of major issues.
►Tighter China-EU relation. President Xi convened China-France-EU Trilateral Leaders’ Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
President Xi emphasized that China regards Europe as an important dimension in its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and an important partner on its path toward Chinese modernization. He urged EU institutions to develop the right perception of China and adopt a positive China policy. Both sides should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, safeguarding the political foundation of their relations, and uphold the basic norms of international relations. It's evident that China’s new energy industry not only increases global supply and alleviates the pressure of global inflation but also makes significant contributions to global climate response and the green transition. The so-called “problem of China’s overcapacity” does not exist either from the perspective of comparative advantage or in light of global demand.
President Macron noted that France and the EU need to strengthen cooperation with China, as this bears on the future of Europe. The EU refuses the logic of decoupling, and welcomes investment and cooperation by Chinese companies in Europe. The EU hopes to step up cooperation with China and jointly safeguard the security and stability of value chains and supply chains in Europe. France wishes to work with China closely to address global challenges such as climate change and marine biodiversity.
President von der Leyen noted that the EU wishes to work with China in the spirit of mutual respect, seek common ground despite differences, enhance mutual trust, avoid misunderstanding, jointly uphold the international order based on international law, and promote world peace, security and prosperity. The EU commends China for its efforts and progress made in green transition and development, acknowledges China’s legitimate right to develop, and wishes to continue candid dialogue with China and strengthen their cooperation.
►A New milestone. President Xi and President Vučić announced together that Serbia becomes the first European country to build a community with a shared future with China. President Xi announced the first batch of six practical steps China will take to support the establishment of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era:
● The China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement will take effect on July 1 this year.
● China supports Serbia in hosting the Specialized Expo 2027, and will send a delegation to attend the event. Chinese businesses will also be encouraged to take part in relevant construction projects.
● China will import more high-quality agricultural specialties from Serbia.
● China will support 50 young Serbian scientists in taking part in scientific research exchange in China in the next three years.
● China will invite 300 young Serbians to study in China in the next three years.
● China welcomes the opening of direct flights from Belgrade to Shanghai by Serbia, and encourages the two countries’ airlines to open direct flights from Belgrade to Guangzhou.
In the joint statement, China also pointed out that it understands Serbia's efforts to join the European Union and supports Serbia in upholding its independence and following the development path that suits its own conditions. China also supports Serbia’s efforts to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Kosovo issue. The two sides will jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The two sides will advocate fairness and justice, and jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics.
► Joint statements released
● China-France Joint Statement on the situation in the Middle East
President Xi and President Macron issued a Joint Statement on the Situation in the Middle East, which included 10 points. These points encompassed calling for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, protecting civilians in Gaza in accordance with international humanitarian law, urging the effective opening of all necessary corridors and crossing points, urging all parties to refrain from unilateral measures on the ground that might escalate tensions, safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, advocating for the observance of the Olympic Truce during the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, and more.
During the meeting in Budapest, China and Hungary decided to elevate their bilateral relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era. The two sides agreed to seize the establishment of this partnership as an opportunity to inject new and robust momentum into bilateral cooperation, as well as relations between China and Central and Eastern Europe, with the aim of creating a better future for both peoples.
Additionally, China has also forged other joint statements with the three countries covering various aspects such as marine cooperation, AI, agriculture, and more.
► Numerous cooperation documents. China has signed or agreed massive cooperation documents with 3 countries: 18 with France, 28 with Serbia, and 18 with Hungary. These documents cover various fields such as infrastructure under the
framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), trade, finance, technology, agriculture, culture, customs, media, and more. These cooperation agreements further deepen the exchanges between China and the three countries, strengthen their relationship, and inject momentum into the development of a more consolidated China-EU relations.
► Properly handle world hot topics. President Xi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of properly resolving the Palestine-Israel Conflicts and Ukraine crisis during this visit.
On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Xi noted that this prolonged tragedy is a test of human conscience. The international community must act. China calls on all parties to work for an immediate, comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. China supports Palestine's full membership in the U.N., and supports restoring to Palestine its legitimate national rights and restarting the two-State solution, so as to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
Regarding the Ukraine crisis, China has been actively engaged in peace efforts, with the special representative of the Chinese government on Eurasian affairs conducting his third round of shuttle diplomacy. Simultaneously, China opposes any attempts to exploit the Ukraine crisis to blame or vilify a third country or to instigate further conflict. China urges all parties to resume engagement and dialogue to foster mutual trust. Additionally, China supports convening an international peace conference, recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, at an appropriate time, ensuring the equal participation of all parties and facilitating fair discussions on all peace plans. China advocates for a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture in
Europe.
Unforgettable Journey
Cold weather, warm vibe. President Macron extended a special invitation to President Xi and his wife to visit Hautes-Pyrénées, a location of particular significance to President Macron. There, they enjoyed a performance by local villagers of the shepherd’s dance, a unique tradition of southern France. As snowflakes drifted outside and clouds blanketed the sky, the two Presidents and their wives sat by the window, admiring the distant mountains while savouring local delicacies. In a relaxing and cordial atmosphere, they had strategic communication on a number of important issues critical to the world. As they prepared to depart, the local villagers serenaded them with a shepherd’s song, further enhancing the warm and cordial atmosphere.
Ladies' Artistic Journey. In Paris, Madame Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi visited the Orsay Museum with Brigitte Macron, wife of President Macron. They entered the museum and viewed the exhibition "Paris 1874 Inventing Impressionism" and the museum's masterpiece oil paintings, stopped from time to time to appreciate Impressionist masterpieces by Claude Monet, Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and other famous painters, and exchanged their feelings and thinking.
In Belgrade, Madame Peng Liyuan visited the National Museum of Serbia with Tamara Vučić, wife of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The wives of the two heads of state toured the museum's classic paintings exhibition and watched demonstrations of Serbian women's traditional hand weaving together. Peng Liyuan expressed appreciation of the long history and abundant collections of the museum, and the intricate details and rich emotions embodied in the classic paintings.
Peng expressed the hope that artists from East and West will strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and inspire each other to create more exquisite works of art, to promote China-Europe friendship to the next level.
Insightful Views
During his visit, President Xi also penned articles for the newspapers of the three countries, celebrating the profound friendship between China and each of them. These articles summarised the achievements of past cooperation and exchanges while shedding light on the deepening and expanding of bilateral relations in the future:
Finally, let’s conclude with a video review highlighting the key moments of President Xi’s visit. May China-EU relations continue to prosper and embark on new chapters under the guidance of our leaders!
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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