24 February 2025
Welcome to China-EU dynamics! As the Year of the Snake rings in, significant events have been unfolding across the world. In this edition, we will walk you through the winter sports extravaganza brought by the Ninth Asian Winter Games in Harbin; delve into proposals and solutions China put forth at the AI Action Summit and the Munich Security Conference, and take you on an immersive journey of light and Chinese tea culture. For all creative talents, don’t forget to sent us your creative works marking the important occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties. Let’s dive right in.
PRO-BUSINESS POLICES UNVEILED
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Feb 10 presided over a State Council executive meeting that outlined measures to boost domestic consumption and approved an action plan to stabilize foreign investment in 2025.
The meeting also noted that foreign enterprises play an important role in job creation, export stabilization and industrial upgrading, and urged more practical, effective measures to stabilize existing foreign investment and expand new investment.
- It called for the optimization of a comprehensive services sector opening-up pilot program and the expansion of industries that encourage foreign investment.
- It encouraged foreign capital to undertake equity investment in China, and urged efforts to optimize rules and procedures for foreign mergers and acquisitions.
- It stressed the need for domestic and foreign enterprises to be treated equally in government procurement, as well as the need to broaden financing channels for foreign enterprises.
On Feb 19, China issued the action plan to stabilize foreign investment in 2025. Per the plan, China will support pilot regions in effectively implementing opening-up policies related to such areas as value-added telecommunication, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, providing whole-journey services for foreign-invested projects in these sectors.
In January, although FDI in the Chinese mainland remained subdued amid a global downturn, signs of improvement have started to emerge. FDI in the Chinese mainland in actual use totaled 97.59 billion yuan (about 13.61 billion U.S. dollars) in January, up 27.5 percent from the previous month.
In terms of source countries, FDI from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands and Japan surged 324.4 percent, 104.3 percent, 76.1 percent and 40.7 percent, respectively, last month.
SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE AI
From February 10 to 11, Vice Premier of the State Council Zhang Guoqing attended the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in France. In his address, Vice Premier Zhang stressed that President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Initiative for AI Governance, which contributed China’s solution and wisdom for the major question of our times. The international community should work together to advocate the principle of AI for good, deepen cooperation on innovation, strengthen the inclusive development of AI for the benefit of all, improve global governance and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Participants praised China’s progress and principles of governance on AI, and major initiatives and measures on international AI cooperation. The Summit released an outcome document entitled the Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet and spoke highly of China’s effort in advancing the adoption of the resolution entitled “Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence” at the UN General Assembly and mentioned the 2025 World AI Conference to be hosted by China as an AI milestone.
A CALL FOR AN EQUAL AND ORDERLY MULTIPOLAR WORLD
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the 61st Munich Security Conference in Germany. At the MSC, he delivered a keynote speech titiled "A Steadfast Constructive Force in a Changing World" at an event on China to share China's position on major international issues in light of the theme of the conference.
Wang said we should work for an equal and orderly multipolar world. This is another major proposition put forward by President Xi Jinping, and it represents our sincere expectation for a multipolar world. China will surely be a factor of certainty in this multipolar system, and strive to be a steadfast constructive force in a changing world.
He made four points: it is important to advocate equal treatment; it is important to respect international rule of law; it is important to practice multilateralism; it is important to pursue openness and mutual benefit.
He underscored that China has always seen in Europe an important pole in the multipolar world. The two sides are partners, not rivals. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. Taking this opportunity, China is willing to work with the European side to deepen strategic communication and mutually beneficial cooperation, and steer the world to a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.
Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Wang said that China hopes all relevant parties and stakeholders involved in the Ukraine crisis will engage in the peace talks process at an appropriate time, and seek a political settlement through dialogue and consultation. China has consistently advocated for settling global disputes and conflicts through dialogue, consultation and political means, which applies equally to the Ukraine issue.
INTENSE DIPLOMACY FOR PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION
On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with leaders and senior officals of several countries and organizations.
When meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Wang said that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Germany to uphold free trade, practice multilateralism.
When meeting with Kaja Kallas, the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Commission, Wang said this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, the two sides should take this as an opportunity to review the experiences of their successful cooperation, reaffirm their strategic partnership, uphold dialogue and cooperation as the guiding principles, stick to the fundamental tone of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and remain strategic partners based on mutual respect, trust, and long-term stability.
When meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Wang said that China hopes NATO would establish an objective and correct understanding of China and pursue a positive and responsible policy toward China.
He also met with Chairman of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz, German Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Austrian interim Chancellor and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, Special Advisor to the President of Brazil Celso Amorim, Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, during which the two sides had exchanges views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
A ROADMAP FOR CHINA-UK EXCHANGES AND COOPERATION
From February 12 to 13, at the invitation of UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the UK and held the 10th China-UK Strategic Dialogue with the UK Foreign Secretary. He also met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powel.
Foreign Minister Wang visited the UK after 10 years and the two sides held a new round of strategic dialogue after seven years. This speaks to both sides' willingness of following up on the common understandings between leaders of the two countries, and stabilizing and improving the bilateral ties.
Both sides agreed to follow the important common understandings between leaders of the two countries, cement strategic communication, enhance mutual understanding, uphold openness and cooperation as the underlying feature, explore ways to expand common interests and work for the steady and sustained growth of China-UK relations.
WINTER SPREE & SHARED VALUES
Running from Feb 7 to 14, the 9th Asian Winter Games, themed "Dream of Winter, Love Among Asia," has drawn athletes, officials, journalists and tourists from various countries and regions to China's "Ice City" Harbin. The Games featured over 1200 athletes from 34 countries and regions competing in 64 events across 11 disciplines, making it the largest edition of the Asian Winter Games in history.
Since the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, around 313 million people in China have participated in ice and snow sports or related leisure activities, and the 9th Asian Winter Games has further fueled public enthusiasm for winter sports. As Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed when visting a local ice sports center, efforts need to be taken to leverage the opportunity offered by this Asian Winter Games to further promote mass participation in winter activities and develop industries related to winter sports equipment. Despite the conclusion of Games, the inspiration of "Dream of Winter, Love among Asia" will not end and the shared aspiration and pursuit for peace, development and friendship will continue.
LIGHT UP A SHARED FUTURE
On February 13, Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union attended and addressed the the Illuminating Ceremony of the Bright Chinese Tea House Event of the Brussels Bright Festival. Mr. Fei Shengchao, Ambassador of China to Belgium, Dr. Fink-Hooijer, Director General for Environment of the European Commission, Mr. Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, and an government official of the Brussels city were present at the event.
Ambassador Cai underscored that the Bright Chinese Tea House Event is the opening event organized by the Chinese Mission to the EU to celebrate the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. The 50-year China-EU relations is a journey of the two sides adding splendor to each other, creating a beautiful picture of integration and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations. China stands ready to join hands with the EU to follow through the important consensus reached by leaders of the two sides, to promote the sound growth of China-EU relations, and provide more stability and certainty to the world.
A RED LINE THAT MUST NOT BE CROSSED
In reponse to the U.S. State Department's move of removing the words “we do not support Taiwanese independence” from a fact sheet on Taiwan relations on its website, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated:
There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It is a prevailing international consensus and basic norm governing international relations, and also a solemn commitment the U.S. has made in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués.
History cannot be tampered with, facts cannot be denied, and truth cannot be distorted. U.S. State Department updated its fact sheet on relations with Taiwan and gravely backpedaled on its position on Taiwan-related issues. This move severely violates the one-China principle and three China-U.S. joint communiqués, goes against international law and basic norms of international relations, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence.” This is another example of the U.S. clinging to its wrong policy of “using Taiwan to contain China.”
We urge the U.S. to immediately correct its wrongdoings, abide by the one-China principle and three China-U.S. joint communiqués, handle the Taiwan question with extra prudence, stop using Taiwan to contain China, stop upgrading its substantive relations with Taiwan, stop helping Taiwan expand so-called “international space,” stop emboldening and supporting “Taiwan independence,” and avoid further severe damage to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
CHINA BY NUMBERS
The Chinese animated movie "Ne Zha 2" has seen its box office revenue worldwide, including presales, surpass 13 billion yuan (about $1.8 billion), signaling the vast potential of the Chinese cinema industry.
China has built over 30,000 basic-level smart factories as part of a nationwide push to accelerate industrial digitalization and intelligent upgrading.
China's consumer price index (CPI), a main inflation gauge, was up 0.5 % y-o-y in January, up from a 0.1% increase in December.
China's annual trade in services exceeded 1 trillion U.S. dollars for the first time last year, demonstrating significant potential for further growth.
CALL ALL CREATIVES!
Don't forget to sent us your creative work! Our mission's first event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations is underway! All participants will receive an exquisite gift, even can visit China for free! What are you waiting for, show us your creative talents and stories between China and Europe! Click on the link or scan the QR code in the poster above to learn more.
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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