October 2024
Dear readers, welcome back to China-EU Dynamics! In this edition, we bring you the latest China-EU interactions in political, diplomatic and trade fields. China's foreign trade performance and new regulations on export control of dual-use items are also noteworthy. For those who care about environmental protection, don't miss the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic (BSAP) Initiative. Enjoy reading!
To start, we’re very pleased to announce that H.E. Ambassador CAI Run @AmbCaiRun, the 16th Chinese Ambassador to the European Union, has arrived in Brussels. In his message, the ambassador expresses his readiness to work with friends from all walks of life to promote China-EU friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance the bonds between the two peoples. Wish his Excellency every success.
MORE HIGH-LEVEL EXCHANGES
On October 11, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with European Council President Charles Michel on the sidelines of the leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation in Vientiane, Laos.
Premier Li emphasized that promoting a sound, stable and sustainable development of China-Europe relations is not only the responsibility of both sides, but also the expectation of the international community.
Noting that China is a major partner for Europe to achieve energy and green transition and jointly promote peace and development, Li called on the EU institutions to view China’s development in a correct way and formulate objective and rational policies towards China.
President Michel reaffirmed the great importance the EU side attaches to its comprehensive strategic partnership with China and expressed EU's hope to resolve relevant economic and trade issues between the two sides through dialogue and consultation. The EU is ready to work with China to jointly address climate change and other global challenges, Michel added.
On September 25, Chinese FM Wang Yi met with HR/VP Josep Borrell on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Wang emphasized that strengthening cooperation between China and the EU benefits both sides and meets the expectations of the international community. It's hoped that the EU will adhere to its strategic autonomy, eliminate external interference and promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations, Wang added.
Noting that China’s rise is an unstoppable historical trend, Borrell said that the world needs China and Europe should strengthen cooperation with China.
STRONG OPPOSITION TO TAIWAN-RELATED RESOLUTION
On October 24, our Mission's spokesperson made comment on the Taiwan-related resolution passed by the EP:
In disregard of China’s firm opposition, the European Parliament went ahead by adopting the Taiwan-related resolution. By malicious misinterpreting the UN Resolution 2758, the resolution distorts facts, treads on international law and constitutes a blatant provocation against the post-WWII international order and basic norms in international relations. China strongly deplores and opposes this egregious breach of the one-China principle and interference in China’s internal affairs. We have lodged serious representations with the EU on this matter.
Before the adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758, it was already a historical fact and an international consensus that Taiwan is part of China. This was the important political precondition for the UN General Assembly to adopt the Resolution 2758. In 1971, the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China at the UN, to recognize the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN, and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan region from the UN and all organizations related to it. The Resolution resolved once and for all politically, legally and procedurally the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the UN. The resolution made clear that there is no such thing as “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.” On this matter of principle, there is no gray zone or room for ambiguity.
The Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is at the core of China’s core interests. The one-China principle is a universally recognized norm in international relations and the political foundation on which China establish and develop relations with other countries in the world, including the European Union. It is a red line that must not be crossed. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair that brooks no external interference.
We urge the EU to honor its political commitments, abide by the one-China principle and act prudently on the Taiwan question in order to safeguard the political foundation of the China-EU relationship. We also urge certain misinformed politicians to abandon their futile attempts to obstruct China’s development and reunification by exploiting the Taiwan question. The complete reunification of China will be achieved. Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland. This is the overwhelming trend of history that no one and no force can stop.
Comments of our mission's spokesperson on the EEAS's statement on Taiwan, the EP’s Xinjiang-related resolution and NATO’s China-related remarks.
TALKS ON EV TARIFF DISPUTE CONTINUE
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EVP Valdis Dombrovskis had a professional, pragmatic,candid and constructive exchange on the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into EVs imported from China via video on October 25. The two sides reaffirmed the political will to resolve differences through dialogue and made it clear that price undertakings will continue to be the way forward.
Wang pointed out that people from all walks of life in China and the EU have strong voices and high expectations for the proper handling of this investigation. It's hoped that the two side continue negotiations on the basis of what has been agreed in the previous stage, and make substantive breakthroughs as soon as possible.
The EU side put forward specific recommendations regarding the priceundertakings proposal, and suggested that the technical teams of the two sides hold video calls to discuss them. China agreed to immediately start the next stage of negotiations and welcomed a visit of the EU team to China as soon as possible.
STABLE GROWTH OF CHINA'S FOREIGN TRADE
First "Jinbo" China-Europe freight train arrived in Shanghai. The train carried 76 TEUs of containers of goods valued at $14.08 mln, including cosmetics & mechanical equipment, for the 7th China International lmport Expo (CIIE) which will take place from 5 to 10 November.
New regulations on export control of dual-use items. Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree to unveil regulations on export control of dual-use items, which will take effect on Dec. 1, 2024.
USING BAMBOO TO DELIVER BENEFITS FOR THE WORLD
Jointly launched by China and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) in 2022, the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic (BASP) Initative ,seeks to reduce plastic pollution and tackle climate change.
Last week in Brussels, our mission and INBAR co-organized an exhibition dedicated to the initiative and a China-Europe-Africa Forum on bamboo technological innovation and green industry cooperation. Ambassador CAI Run delivered a speech.
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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