Weekly
=== NEWSLETTER Nº 02===
12 January 2026
In this edition, let us look back at the highlights of recent news, with particular focus on high-level interactions between China and the EU, as well as key remarks on major international events. Enjoy reading!
China-EU interactives
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in Beijing
On the morning of January 5, 2026, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheál Martin, who is on an official visit to China.
🔸President Xi Jinping noted that Mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit are valuable experience gathered from long-term steady development of China-Ireland relations. The two sides should jointly pass them down and carry them forward. China is ready to work with Ireland to strengthen strategic communication, deepen political mutual trust and expand practical cooperation, to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and provide more impetus for China-Europe relations.
China and the EU should keep a long-term perspective, stay committed to working together as partners, view and handle differences in an objective and rational way, and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation. Ireland will hold the rotating EU presidency in the second half of the year. It is hoped that Ireland will play a constructive role for the sound and steady growth of China-EU relations.
🔸Taoiseach Martin noted that Ireland unequivocally subscribes to the one-China policy and is committed to strengthening and growing the strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. China plays an indispensable role in international affairs, and has made positive contributions to upholding the authority of the U.N. and promoting world peace. All international disputes should be settled in accordance with international law. Ireland would like to maintain close communication and coordination with China to safeguard international law, uphold free and open trade, and promote world prosperity and stability. It is important for EU-China relations to maintain steady growth. Ireland is ready to play a constructive role for the sound development of EU-China relations.
Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen
On the evening of January 6, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen at the latter's request.
🔸Wang Yi said that cooperation should be the defining feature of China-EU relations, with partnership being their proper positioning. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Finland, as an important member state of the EU, will play a positive role in promoting the EU to adopt a rational and objective view of China, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, actively strengthen the strategic synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EU's Global Gateway initiative, restart the ratification of the China-EU agreement on investment, and actively explore the negotiation and signing of a China-EU free trade agreement.
🔸Elina Valtonen conveyed President Alexander Stubb's noted that Finland adheres to the one-China policy and looks forward to closer high-level exchanges with China and deepening cooperation in various fields. Finland supports free trade and upholds the principle of mutual benefit. the EU and China are important partners in climate, energy and other fields, it is essential to maintain a constructive relationship between the two sides, and Finland is willing to play an active role in this regard.
China Brief
Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs CPC leadership meeting to hear work reports of state institutions
The Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership met on January 8th to hear a series of work reports from the leading Party members' groups of the top legislature, central government, top political advisory body, supreme court and supreme procuratorate.
🔸The meeting emphasized that China is confronted with profound and complex changes in its development environment over the five-year period ahead, with arduous and demanding tasks on the agenda. It stressed the imperative of upholding, making full use of, and further developing the Party's leadership -- the country's greatest institutional strength -- to provide the fundamental guarantee for advancing Chinese modernization.
🔶Noting that 2026 marks the 105th founding anniversary of the Party and the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the meeting urged the leading Party members' groups to focus on major economic and social development tasks for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and to pool their strength to advance work in various fields.
🔸They were also told to deliver outstanding performances through concrete efforts for the interests of the people, and to fulfill their principal responsibility of full and rigorous Party self-governance.
Hainan FTP Takes Off: 400 Million in Zero-Tariff Trade, 1,900+ New Firms in First Week
Hainan Free Trade Port achieved remarkable results in the first week following the official launch of its island-wide customs operation on December 18, 2025, showcasing the immediate benefits of its landmark policies.
🔸 The value of imported "zero-tariff" goods exceeded 400 million yuan;
🔸Over 1,900 new foreign trade enterprises registered, a year-on-year increase of 130%;
🔸The outlying-island duty-free shopping sector also saw a notable surge, with sales reaching 1.1 billion yuan.
The Port now offers a highly attractive business environment featuring zero tariffs on eligible imports, exemption of internal-sale tariffs for processed goods with over 30% value-added, and a simplified, low-tax regime. These measures are designed to significantly reduce operating costs and boost competitiveness for enterprises.
China's BYD becomes the world's largest seller of battery electric vehicles
China's BYD recently overtook United States-based Tesla to become the world's top EV seller by recording annual sales of battery EVs of 2.26 million, up 28% year-on-year.This marks the growing role of Chinese automakers in expanding access to advanced, high-quality electric mobility worldwide.
Backed by bountiful feedback from the vast domestic market, robust supply chains and accumulated technological capabilities, Chinese automakers are well positioned to offer higher-quality service to more consumers around the globe.
Key Remarks
on the U.S. Military Strikes on Venezuela
China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president. Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it. We call on the U.S. to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security.
on the U.S. Seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and His Wife
China expresses grave concern over the U.S. forcibly seizing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country. The U.S.’s move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China calls on the U.S. to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.
🔸A selected artwork from China Daily, showcasing the communication and integration between China and Ireland, and between China and the EU.
Weekly Reflection
US strikes on Venezuela sound an alarm for global governance. The forcible detention of Maduro by the US can occur to some extent precisely because the existing global governance mechanisms lack effective constraints, which fail to impose appropriate costs on hegemonic behavior.
— Global Times
For too long, Western perceptions have been clouded by the assumption that climate progress must come at the cost of economic competitiveness or that success can only be achieved through Western institutions and values. China’s climate story refutes these notions decisively. In contrast to the US and the EU, China has quietly become the world’s climate doer.
— Sonalie Figueiras, the editor-in-chief of Green Queen Media
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.
Please let us know if you have any suggestions or comments about this newsletter. You can also easily unsubscribe if you do not want to receive it anymore.
Editor: Ma Hanwei
