This edition provides an overview of recent developments in China’s high-level exchanges with European leaders, key policy speeches and major multilateral events. It also highlights China’s economic and trade initiatives, alongside exchanges and cooperation in areas such as digital development, medical devices and China-EU dialogue. Enjoy reading!

Top News

President Xi Jinping Meets with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker

On the afternoon of November 6, President Xi Jinping met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have upheld the spirit of mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness and mutual benefit, consolidated political mutual trust, and achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation, delivering tangible benefits to the two peoples. Trust and friendship are a precious feature of China-Austria relations.

President Xi emphasized that the international landscape is fluid and turbulent, with unilateralism and protectionism resurging against the trend of history. China and Austria should jointly practice true multilateralism, support free trade, and contribute to building a more just and equitable global governance system. A developing and growing China is not the source of Europe’s problems, but a partner and companion that can help Europe address them. China and Europe should focus on cooperation and commit to resolving trade frictions through dialogue and negotiation, so as to achieve mutual benefit and common development.

President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Sultan Haitham of Oman

On the morning of November 2, President Xi Jinping held talks with Sultan Haitham of Oman, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi noted that transformation unseen in a century is now accelerating at a faster pace and global challenges keep emerging. The Middle East and the Gulf region should not become an arena for major power rivalry or geopolitical conflicts. Concerted efforts are needed to foster and maintain peace and stability in the region. China has been actively committed to ending hostilities and promoting peace, aiming to contribute its wisdom and solutions to resolving regional security predicament. China will continue to advocate resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means, and supports regional countries in building a common home of good-neighborliness, development, security and cooperation. China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Oman and other Arab states and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to jointly work for the early restoration of peace and tranquility in the region and the realization of lasting stability.

High-Level Events

Keynote Speech by H.E. Li Qiang Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen,  calling for a more people-centered approach to internet development amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI).  

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang Delievered Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 9th China International Import Expo and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Thursday called for joint efforts to achieve balanced trade through greater market openness, deeper investment cooperation, innovation, and the removal of trade barriers.

Noting that profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, Ding said economic globalization is facing headwinds, imbalances in global development remain prominent, and the international economic and trade order is being severely impacted. Concerns over trade imbalances are understandable, and the key is how to achieve balanced trade, he said.

He called on countries to share market opportunities, enhance openness and connectivity, better leverage their respective comparative advantages, and promote balance by making the economic pie bigger together.

He also urged deeper investment cooperation and efforts to optimize the cross-border layout of industries, create favorable conditions for businesses, and promote balance through integration into global industrial and supply chains.

Ding stressed the need to harness innovation, improve supply quality, expand the frontiers of trade, and promote balance through advancing transformation and upgrading.

He also called for greater mutual understanding and trust, giving due consideration to each other's legitimate concerns, resolving differences through consultation, and promoting balance by removing barriers.

China-EU Match-making Event for Medical Devices at the 9th China International Import Expo

A dedicated China-EU trade matchmaking event was held in Shanghai on November 5 during the 9th CIIE.

The event brought together around 200 Chinese and European medical institutions and companies. Representatives from MOFCOM, the European Commission and Sweden's Embassy in China attended the launch ceremony. The event was a practical step toward implementing the outcomes and common understandings reached at the second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultations in October, and promoting upward balance in China-EU trade. 

The 37th APEC Ministerial Meeting

On November 3, 2026, the 37th APEC Ministerial Meeting was held via video conference in Beijing. Co-Chairs of the meeting, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, co-chaired the meeting. Present were representatives from all APEC member economies, the Chair of the 2026 APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), the Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, the Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council, and observer representatives.

Wang Yi noted that amid the fluid international landscape, the Asia-Pacific has remained a zone of stability, an engine of growth and a high ground for cooperation. As economic globalization encounters headwinds, the question of where Asia-Pacific cooperation should head is an issue of our times that we must answer. President Xi Jinping pointed out that we should stay true to APEC’s founding mission to promote economic growth and improve people’s lives, and champion open development where everyone shares opportunities and emerges a winner. We should promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and build an Asia-Pacific community. This important statement by President Xi Jinping charts the course for us to advance Asia-Pacific cooperation under the new circumstances.

Wang Yi stated that China stands ready to work with all members to deepen and solidify the building of an Asia-Pacific community. First, we must consolidate the foundation of solidarity and act on the vision of a community. We need to uphold mutual respect, deepen solidarity and coordination, and translate the vision of an Asia-Pacific community into concrete actions. Second, we should foster an open architecture and sustain the momentum of regional integration. We will safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, leverage the guiding role of regional trade arrangements, and build an open Asia-Pacific economy. Third, we should jointly nurture an innovation ecosystem and cultivate new drivers of growth. We will accelerate digital intelligence transformation in Asia-Pacific and foster new areas of cooperation. Fourth, we should broaden avenues for cooperation to deliver sustainable development. We will pursue universal benefit and inclusiveness, advocate green and low-carbon development, and safeguard energy and food security.

China-Europe Interactions

The 14th China-Europe Forum

On 5 November 2026, the Chinese Mission to the EU, Friends of Europe,  and the China Public Diplomacy Association jointly hosted the 14th China-Europe Forum in Brussels. H.E. Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU; H.E. Ambassador Marcos Alonso Alonso, Permanent Representative of Spain to the EU; and Mr. Wu Haitao, Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, attended the forum and delivered remarks. Mr. Pascal Lamy, former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, delivered remarks virtually. 

In his address, Ambassador Cai Run noted that this year marks the beginning of the second 50 years of China-EU relations. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and EU leaders, China-EU relations have maintained steady momentum. This relationship is now at a critical stage. Both sides should remain committed to the positioning of partnership, to resolving economic and trade differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation, and to respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns, so as to ensure the steady and sustained development of China-EU relations. China is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with the EU on AI, and jointly build a just and equitable global AI governance system. Ambassador Cai also stressed the great significance of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Chinese participants noted that China and the EU have enormous potential for cooperation and could deepen practical cooperation in areas such as digital and green development to promote shared prosperity. European participants emphasized that the EU and China are important partners and should strengthen cooperation, properly manage differences, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

Address by H.E. Ambassador Cai Run at the 14th
China-Europe Forum

Distinguished Guests,
Dear Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. It is a great pleasure to attend the 14th China-Europe Forum. This is my third consecutive year at the Forum, and I have had the privilege of witnessing its continued growth. On behalf of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, I wish to extend warm congratulations on the convening of this year’s Forum. My sincere thanks also go to Friends of Europe and the China Public Diplomacy Association that have contributed to organizing this event and all those who supported the development of China-EU relations.

This year marks the beginning of the second 50 years of China-EU relations. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and EU leaders, China-EU relations have maintained steady momentum. Since the beginning of this year, the two sides have maintained close engagements and held consultations and dialogues on water policy, public health, ocean affairs, the environment and climate, customs, energy, judicial affairs, trade and investment, and economic and social affairs. Exchanges between the two legislatures have also been active, contributing significantly to the development of China-EU relations. Our economic and trade cooperation has sustained growth despite difficulties and challenges. According to Chinese statistics, bilateral trade reached US$693.6 billion in the first nine months of this year, up 12.9 percent year on year. Two-way investment stock now exceeds US$290 billion, and the China-Europe railway express has made 140,000 trips. The achievements in China-EU relations have benefited our peoples and the wider world. These hard-won achievements deserve to be cherished. China-EU relations are now at a critical stage. China stands ready to work with the EU to follow through on the important common understandings reached between our leaders, seize opportunities, address challenges, and ensure the steady and sustained development of our relations.

The second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation (TIC) Mechanism, held recently, made positive progress. This serves the interests of both sides and brings positive momentum to the world economy. First, the two sides reached 16 deliverables and understandings across four areas: trade and investment balance, export controls, intellectual property rights, and WTO reform, addressing the concerns of both sides in a balanced manner. Second, the meeting reaffirmed the right approach of resolving trade and economic differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation. The agreement on these 16 deliverables and understandings fully demonstrates that both sides have the willingness, capability, and wisdom to resolve issues through dialogue and consultation. The two sides agreed to hold the third TIC meeting in March next year to take the consultation process forward. Third, the meeting sent a positive signal to the business communities of China and the EU and to the international community. Confidence is more precious than gold. The positive progress in the consultations has provided greater predictability for cooperation between our business and industrial communities, while bringing greater stability and certainty to the world economy.

Both China and the EU have stressed that the second meeting was a new starting point rather than an endpoint. The negotiations and consultations ahead remain demanding, with much work still to be done. China hopes that the EU will work with China in the same direction, address each other’s concerns in a balanced manner, and continue advancing the negotiations and consultations, so as to achieve upward balance and further growth of China-EU economic and trade relations. In this regard, I would like to share a few observations.

First, China and the EU should remain committed to the positioning of partnership. Situated at the eastern and western ends of the Eurasian continent, China and Europe have no geopolitical conflicts or fundamental clash of interest. We are partners, not rivals, still less adversaries. China is not the source of the economic problems facing the EU, but a partner it can count on in addressing them. China regards the EU as a key priority in its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and an important partner in advancing Chinese modernization. We hope that the EU could be a key partner for economic and trade cooperation, a priority partner for scientific and technological cooperation, and a trusted partner for industrial and supply chain cooperation. On May 29 this year, the European Commission held a meeting of the College of Commissioners to discuss relations with China. The press release issued afterward described China as a “critical partner.” The joint statements issued following both the first and second TIC meetings also emphasized that China and the EU are “key trading partners.” As a Chinese saying goes, “It is important to match the words with actions and actions with results.” China sincerely hopes that the two sides will work together to translate these statements of partnership into concrete actions and practical cooperation across all areas.

Second, China and the EU should remain committed to resolving economic and trade differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation. China-EU economic and trade relations are, in essence, complementary and mutually beneficial. Given the large scale of our economic and trade cooperation and the wide range of sectors it covers, differences and frictions will inevitably arise. The key is to follow through on the important common understandings reached by our leaders and resolve differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation. Dialogue and consultation should allow both sides to give due consideration to each other’s concerns and find solutions that benefit both sides. Treating the process as a zero-sum game defeats that purpose. There are no winners in a trade war. China opposes politicizing economic and trade issues, overstretching the concept of security, and resorting to unilateral or maximum pressure. If the EU insists on adopting restrictive and discriminatory economic and trade measures against China, China will have to take countermeasures to firmly safeguard its interests. Resolving economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation serves the interests and needs of both China and the EU, meets the broad expectations of the Chinese and European business communities and the international community, and benefits both sides and the global economy.

Third, China and the EU should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns. Over more than 50 years, we have learned many important lessons from the development of China-EU relations. Chief among them is the need to respect the social systems and development paths chosen by our respective peoples, as well as each other’s core interests and major concerns. China supports European integration, the EU’s strategic autonomy, and a greater role for the EU in international and regional affairs. We hope that the EU will take the right position on issues bearing on China’s core interests and major concerns, show due respect and support for those interests and concerns, and safeguard the overall relationship between China and the EU.

Ladies and gentlemen,  
Dear friends,

The theme of this year’s China-Europe Forum, “The Next 50 Years: Navigating Global Transitions in an AI world,” is especially relevant to our efforts to advance our bilateral relations and make global governance fairer and more equitable. China and the EU each bring distinct strengths to artificial intelligence. By working together, we can draw upon each other’s strengths and advance common development. China is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with the EU on AI, make AI a new area of growth in China-EU cooperation and jointly advance global AI governance. We look forward that the experts and scholars here today will bring valuable insights to this effort through your discussions.

Ladies and gentlemen,  
Dear friends,

The Communist Party of China recently held the fifth plenary session of its 20th Central Committee. It made strategic arrangements on constantly exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance. These steps will have a profound and lasting impact on Party building and Chinese modernization. This year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. China remains committed to pursuing high-quality development and high-standard opening up. Its policies, market and innovation will create new opportunities for cooperation with partners around the world, including the EU. We are confident that with joint efforts of the Chinese and EU side as well as the active participation of friends from across sectors, the China-EU relationship will usher in a brighter future.

To conclude, I wish this year’s Forum every success.

Thank you.

Spokesperson’s Remarks

Spokesperson of Foreign Ministry

CGTN: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin just concluded their visits to China. How does China assess the outcomes of the two visits? What’s China’s expectation of China-Germany relations and China-Switzerland relations moving forward?

Mao Ning: This is President Steinmeier’s first state visit to China in eight years, and the first visit by a Swiss president to China in seven years. President Xi Jinping held talks with President Steinmeier and met with President Parmelin.

President Xi and President Steinmeier noted that as the world’s second and third largest economies, China and Germany should shoulder the responsibility for safeguarding world peace and development and striving for a more just and equitable global governance system. Both sides spoke highly of the fruitful outcomes of China-Germany relations, and agreed to uphold mutual respect and equality, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen people-to-people exchanges, and properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, so as to usher in a new chapter of China-Germany all-round strategic partnership.

President Xi and President Parmelin agreed to respect each other’s core interests, consolidate political mutual trust, make good use of the dialogue mechanisms in various fields, deepen collaboration on bilateral and multilateral affairs, champion multilateralism and free trade, and elevate China-Switzerland relations to a new height. The two presidents witnessed the signing of the Protocol Enhancing the Free Trade Agreement between China and Switzerland and other cooperation documents, including on scientific research, labor and employment, and media.

Today, changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, and the dimension of change and turbulence is becoming more prominent. The two presidents’ visits to China have sent out a positive message of strengthening communication and coordination, deepening open cooperation, and supporting multilateralism and free trade, and set a sound example for the growth of China-EU relations. China will work with various parties to focus on cooperation and mutual benefits, and inject more certainty into the stability and prosperity in today’s world.

Spokesperson of Chinese Mission to the EU

Q: On November 5, the EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on the sentencing of Joshua Wong Chi-fung. What is China’s comment?

A: The EU’s negative statement made unwarranted comments on the sentence handed down by a court of the Hong Kong SAR in the case of Wong Chi-fung, interfering in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs and China’s internal affairs. The Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly condemns this, and has lodged solemn representations with the EU side.

Hong Kong is a society governed by rule of law. To abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice is a basic principle. The facts concerning Wong Chi-fung’s crimes are clear and the evidence is conclusive. The severe punishment imposed on him is fully warranted by the crimes he committed. He has admitted to all the criminal acts of which he is accused. Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs and brook no external interference. The Chinese side urges the EU side to earnestly respect the rule of law in Hong Kong, stop issuing irresponsible statements on Hong Kong’s handling of judicial proceedings, and stop interfering in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form.

Q: On 6 November, the EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on the verdict in the case of Au Kam San. What is China’s comment?

A: The EU’s negative statement made unwarranted remarks on the verdict handed down by the court of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in the case of Au Kam San, interfering in Macao’s judicial affairs and China’s internal affairs. The Chinese side strong deplores and firmly opposes this, and has lodged solemn representations with the EU side.

Macao is a society governed by the rule of law. To abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice is a basic principle. The Macao SAR has the duty and right to handle in accordance with law suspected acts of colluding with external forces to endanger national security. This is consistent with international law and common international practice, has a solid legal basis and is fully justified. Macao affairs are purely China’s internal affairs and brook no external interference. The Chinese side urges the EU side to earnestly respect the rule of law in Macao, and immediately stop interfering in Macao affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form.

Weekly Quote 

Through the Lens

9th China International Import Expo

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, except those from the official website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Chinese Mission to the EU and other Chinese governmental websites.

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                                                                                   Editor: ZHANG Kaixiang