11November 2024
Welcome to China-EU Dynamics! During the past fortnight, presidents and prime minister of three European countries visited Beijing. China expanded visa-free policy to 8 additional European countries. Thousands of exhibitors, including many European companies, gathered at the 7th China International Import Expo. In this edition, we bring you more details of these events and policy as well as other important news. Enjoy reading!
LEADERS OF 3 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TRAVEL TO CHINA
Finnish President Alexander Stubb paid a state visit to China. President Xi Jinping held talks and Premier Li Qiang met with him respectively.
Xi spoke highly of the strong relations between the two countries, and expressed China's readiness to further advance the China-Finland future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership.
Xi also expressed the hope that Finland will continue to play an active role in advancing China-EU relations.
For his part, Stubb stressed that the economies of the EU and China are closely interconnected, and "decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains" or a "new Cold War" is not in the interest of any party. Finland is willing to play an active role in promoting the smooth development of EU-China ties, Stubb added.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella paid a state visit to China. President Xi Jinping held talks and Premier Li Qiang met with him respectively.
Xi expressed the hope that China and Italy, both ancient civilizations, could uphold their traditions of openness and inclusiveness, and make joint efforts to build a world of harmonious coexistence.
China takes Europe as an important partner on the path toward realizing Chinese modernization, Xi stressed, adding that the two sides should seek win-win cooperation and manage their differences properly to ensure that bilateral relations are more mature and stable.
Mattarella responded that Italy always considers China as an important partner. As both sides oppose protectionism and advocate mutual openness, his country is willing to work closely with China and contribute the wisdom of the two civilizations to promoting world peace and stability.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico paid an official visit to China. President Xi Jinping met and Premier Li Qiang held talks with him respectively.
The two sides decided to elevate China-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership.
Xi reaffirmed the great importance China attaches to China-EU relations, and expressed the hope that the new EU institutions will adhere to the orientation of the China-EU partnership, follow a positive and pragmatic China policy, properly manage differences, and refrain from politicizing economic and trade issues.
In his response, Fico said that Slovakia opposes the extra tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese EVs and is willing to actively promote the EU's commitment to handling differences through dialogue and consultations.
Other important China-EU interactions
▶️ Chinese FM Wang Yi held talks with his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen and Slovak counterpart Juraj Blanar respectively in Beijing.
▶️ Chinese senior official Li Xi paid a visit to Italy at the invitation of the Italian Senate.
24 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ON CHINA'S VISA-FREE LIST
China extended visa-free policy to more countries. Citizens from 24 European countries, including 18 EU member states, can now enter China for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 15 days without a visa.
The countries are Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, and Liechtenstein.
PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN EV PRICE COMMITMENT TALKS
China expressed firm opposition to the final decision of the EU on October 29 to impose extra tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.
It is a protectionist practice for “unfair competition” under the guise of “fair competition” and China does not agree with or accept the decision, according to a spokesperson for China's commerce ministry. China later initiated a legal challenge under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.
From November 2 to 7, technical teams from the two sides held five rounds of consultations in Beijing. The consultations have achieved some progress. Both sides have agreed to continue the consultations via video link or other means.
China believes that comprehensively advancing the consultations based on the price undertakings proposal submitted by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products on behalf of the industry will help maintain mutual trust, reach consensus expeditiously, and resolve differences through dialogue, thereby avoiding the escalation of trade frictions, a spokesperson for China's commerce ministry said.
NEWS FROM OUR MISSION
On October 24, Ambassador Cai Run met with Stefano Sannino, Secretary-General of the EEAS. They had an in-depth exchange of views on China-EU relations.
Ambassador Cai stressed that as next year marks the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations, China is ready to work with the EU to materialize the important consensus reached by leaders of the two sides and facilitate the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations. Cai also made clear China’s position on the Taiwan question.
SG Sannino stated the great importance the EU attaches to developing relations with China and expressed the EU's readiness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various areas. The EU insists on the one-China policy and this position has not changed and will not change, the SG noted.
Minister Zhu Jing of our mission delivered speeches at the European session of the World Young Scientist Summit 2024 and the 10th Europe Forum respectively.
CHINA STAYS COMMITTED TO OPENING-UP
The 7th China International Import Expo(CIIE) took place from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai. The grand event attracted 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions, and saw over 400 new products, technologies and services showcased and a total of 80.01 billion U.S. dollars worth of tentative deals reached. Norway and Slovakia participated in the Country Exhibition for the first time.
Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. Highlights:
▶️China will further expand institutional opening up and actively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules.
▶️China will open up its enormous market further, including implementing the unilateral opening up and offering zero-tariff treatment for all tariff lines from the least developed countries, and effectively turn the huge market into great global opportunities.
▶️China firmly safeguards the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core and supports developing countries in sharing more benefits of globalization.
▶️The fundamentals of the Chinese economy remain sound, and the Chinese government is capable of promoting steady economic growth and contributing more to global development.
ENDEAVOUR TO UNRAVEL MYSTERIES OF COSMOS
China successfully launched the Shenzhou-19 manned spaceship on October 30, sending three astronauts — including the country's first female space engineer — to the orbiting space station for a six-month mission. Congratulations!
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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