This edition brings you the latest China-EU and China U.S. exchanges, and China's latest progress in manufacturing and global security cooperation. Meanwhile, this edition presents China’s position on AI and other issues concerning its core interests. Enjoy reading!

Top News

Xi stresses sustained efforts to expand, strengthen advanced manufacturing

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged sustained efforts to expand and strengthen advanced manufacturing to provide strong support for advancing Chinese modernization. 

Efforts should be made to ensure both high-quality development and greater security, pursue smart, green and integrated development, and make the country's industrial chains more self-supporting and risk-resilient, Xi stressed.

He emphasized the need to accelerate the development of a modernized industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone, and reinforce the foundations of the real economy.

The remarks was conveyed at a national conference on advanced manufacturing held in Beijing on 16-17 September 2026. 

Premier Li Qiang delivered a speech at the conference. He stressed that next-generation intelligent manufacturing should serve as the primary direction, with greater emphasis on digital and intelligent empowerment, high-end manufacturing and self-reliance, green and low-carbon development, and cross-sector integration.

Li called for deepening the "AI plus manufacturing" initiative, stepping up guidance and support for enterprises' digital and intelligent transformation, and consolidating the foundation of intelligent software and hardware.

China-EU Interactions

Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot

On September 14, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot at the latter’s request.

Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže

On September 14, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže at the latter’s request.

Baiba Braže said that recently 33 Latvian citizens went missing in mudslides in Nepal and China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. After the disaster, Latvia thanked China for its updates and search and rescue efforts, and for its sincere condolences to the families of the missing. Latvia is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly carry out follow-up work.

Wang Yi said that a sudden ice-rock avalanche on the Nepalese side triggered mudslides, resulting in heavy casualties and people going missing in Gyirong County, Xizang, China. Latvia is the European country with the largest number of missing persons in this disaster. In the face of this sudden tragedy, I wish to once again express sincere condolences to the Latvian side, especially the families of the missing. China treats Chinese and foreign nationals equally and has made every effort to carry out rescue operations. We will make the greatest efforts to continue searching for missing Latvian and other foreign nationals and properly handle follow-up matters.

Wang Wentao Holds Video Meeting with EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič

On September 17, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a video meeting at the invitation of Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, to discuss China-EU economic and trade issues.

21st meeting of China-EU round table held in east China's Hangzhou

The China-EU Round Table between the China Economic and Social Council (CESC) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held its 21st edition on September 14 in China's eastern city of Hangzhou.

Thirty-seven representatives from China and Europe engaged in in-depth discussions on topics ranging from poverty alleviation, trade and investment to artificial intelligence.

Wang Dongfeng, vice chairman and secretary general of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and chairman of the China Economic and Social Council, delivered a speech.

Wang said China and the European Union must stay committed to their partnership, openness and inclusiveness, and multilateralism to help usher in a future featuring greater mutual respect and trust, mutual benefit and win-win results, and fairness and justice. He added that China stands ready to work with the EU to leverage the China-EU Round Table mechanism, advance deeper cooperation across all fields and foster the sound development of China-EU relations.

The China-EU Civil Society Round Table was established in 2007 following a decision taken at the 9th China-EU Summit held in the Finnish capital Helsinki. Delegations from the CESC and the EESC meet regularly to discuss economic and social issues of common interest.

China-U.S. Interactions

Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on high-level interactions

On September 17, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two sides held in-depth discussions on high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Wang Yi said that for some time, China-U.S. relations have generally moved along the path towards a constructive relationship of strategic stability set by the two heads of state, which is conducive to responding to the expectations of the international community. Wang Yi stressed that head-of-state diplomacy is the anchor of China-U.S. relations. The two sides should act in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, step up communication, advance cooperation, manage differences, respect each other’s core interests, and send a positive message that China and the U.S. are committed to advancing a constructive relationship of strategic stability and jointly promoting world peace and development.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and other issues.

China in Brief

Beijing Xiangshan Forum opens with calls for consensus, common security

The 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was held on 15-17 September, with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun calling for preventing risks with historical awareness resolving problems through dialogue and consultation, and chart a course toward lasting peace and common security.

The Xiangshan Forum has come to its 20th anniversary. Since its inception, the forum has stayed true to the principle of equality, openness, inclusiveness, and mutual learning, and is always open for dialogues and different voices. Here, countries interact as equals and engage in candid discussions to build consensus and seek greater common ground. The forum has pooled wisdom to address challenges and realize peace and cooperation. he said.

He outlined six priorities: pooling consensus on a new security outlook, maintaining stability with multilateralism, preventing risks with historical awareness, resolving problems through dialogue and consultation, consolidating security foundation through common development, and deepening cooperation through concrete actions.

Facing a growing security deficit, we find that traditional security theories struggle to make sense of today's problems, and the outdated zero-sum mentality offers no way out of the current predicament. The new outlook that security should be common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable has provided us with fresh guidance, he added.

The forum's broad participation offered a practical setting for exchanges. Around 2,000 guests, including official representatives, experts, scholars and observers from more than 100 countries, regions and international organizations, are attending.

Airbus delivers first aircraft from its new assembly line in China

On September 16, Airbus delivered the first aircraft assembled at its new Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia.

The delivery represents a major milestone in Airbus' industrial footprint expansion in China and across its global industrial system, the company said.

According to Airbus' latest Global Market Forecast, China's demand for new passenger aircraft is expected to reach 8,830 units over the next two decades, accounting for more than 20 percent of the estimated global total of 42,060 units.

"Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our industrial footprint in China, underscoring our unwavering trust and deep-rooted cooperation with our Chinese partners," said Erik Buschmann, chief operating officer of Airbus China.

He added that the first delivery from the new assembly line stands as a "vivid testament to the long-term partnership, mutual achievement, and shared success between China and Europe."

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Spokesperson’s Remarks

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Comments on Artificial Intelligence

Reuters (14 September): Dario Amodei, Sam Altman and Elon Musk all over the weekend called on AI companies to slow down frontier development, with Amodei arguing a Chinese advantage in AI would pose U.S. national security risks. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Spokesperson GUO Jiakun: AI is a consequential technology for the wellbeing of all humanity. All parties should jointly promote the open and inclusive development of AI for good and for all. Fear-mongering, confrontation and vicious competition will only hamper efforts toward sound global AI governance, which serves no one’s interest.

Bloomberg (15 September): Can the foreign ministry clarify and elaborate on your response yesterday regarding calls from U.S. tech leaders for a slowing down AI development. How does China assess the risks posed by AI including the possibility of AI being used for the production of biological weapons?

Spokesperson GUO Jiakun: We noted recent remarks by some in the U.S. AI industry. As AI develops at an incredible speed, it’s all the more important to stay committed to developing AI for the positive, for good, and for the benefits of the people, to calibrate regulation and governance on AI, and to promptly strengthen safeguards to prevent it from getting out of control.

China puts equal emphasis on development and security in terms of AI. We take seriously the inherent and secondary risks of AI. We are committed to holding on to the bottom line of security, and we have been making continued efforts to improve laws and regulations, policies, application norms, and ethical rules to prevent the abuse and misuse of AI, and ensure that AI is safe, reliable and controllable. Yesterday, Chinese relevant authorities released AI Safety Governance Framework 3.0, in which the classification of AI safety risks was reviewed and updated, and recommendations on optimizing technological countermeasures and comprehensive governance measures were outlined. 

AI is the collective wisdom and precious asset shared by all humanity. AI development and governance require the practice of true multilateralism, with all countries working together to build a global governance framework on broad-based consensus. No single country or enterprise can develop effective solutions on its own. China always supports the UN’s role as the main channel in global AI governance, and participates in the multilateral governance of AI in a responsible attitude. China stands ready to join hands with all countries to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance, and develop AI for good and for all.

Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU Speaks on a Question Concerning the European Parliament's Hong Kong-Related Resolution

Q: On September 17, the European Parliament adopted a negative resolution concerning the “Hong Kong Alliance” case. What is China’s comment?

A: The European Parliament’s resolution concerning Hong Kong disregards facts and legal principles, slanders and smears the practice of “one country, two systems”and Hong Kong’s national security laws, blatantly interferes in Hong Kong’s judicial process, and grossly meddles in China’s internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, has lodged solemn representations with the EU side at the earliest opportunity and made clear its solemn position.

Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, where laws must be observed and those who violate the law must be held accountable. The defendants in the “Hong Kong Alliance” case have long engaged in anti-China activities aimed at destabilizing Hong Kong and undermined social stability in Hong Kong. The facts concerning their crimes of inciting subversion of state power are clear, the evidence is conclusive, and the offense has caused serious harm. Judicial authorities in Hong Kong SAR handle the “Hong Kong Alliance” case in accordance with the law, and no external forces have any right to make irresponsible remarks.

Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs that brook no external interference. China urges the European Parliament to earnestly respect China’s sovereignty, respect the rule of law in Hong Kong, immediately stop making irresponsible remarks on the Hong Kong SAR’s handling of the “Hong Kong Alliance” case, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs, which are China’s internal affairs, in any form.

Weekly Quote 

Through the Lens

Autumn scenery of Arxan National Forest Park in China's Inner Mongolia

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: GU Wenjie