Important News

Chinese premier stresses opportunities, fair competition, development confidence amid growing uncertainties

Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2026 and delivers a keynote speech, in Beijing, capital of China, March 22, 2026.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has stressed creating new market opportunities through openness and technological progress, and upholding global market order through healthy and fair competition.

He also said high-quality development and stable economic growth of China will continue to provide development opportunities for the world.

Li made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing on Sunday, saying the world is undergoing profound and complex changes, with multiple trends coexisting, intertwining, and colliding.

Unilateralism and protectionism are running rampant, while forces advocating cooperation and promoting development continue to grow stronger; economic growth in traditional sectors faces difficulties, while development in emerging fields is gaining momentum; the international rules-based order suffers severe damage and disruption, while many countries actively advance reforms and improvements to global governance; power politics prevails with arbitrary and reckless conduct, while calls for upholding fairness and justice grow ever louder, Li said.

The premier shared with the attendees his key observations.

First, the market has become a scarce resource, yet it can be continuously expanded, he said.

History shows that every time the global economy emerged from hardship and moved toward prosperity, it was not through competing over existing markets, but by creating new ones through openness and technological progress, Li said.

"Protectionism is no panacea," he said. "We must uphold the spirit of openness and pioneering endeavor, expand free trade, and actively foster innovation."

Second, development inevitably involves competition, yet healthy competition and cooperation can yield mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, he said.

"Only by embracing competition with a positive mindset and advancing cooperation through pragmatic actions can we empower one another and draw on respective strengths," Li said.

He stressed that the competitive advantages of China's relevant industries are not derived from subsidies or protection, but stem from persistent deepening of reform, steadfast implementation of innovation-driven development, and, most importantly, the diligence and hard work of the Chinese people and Chinese enterprises.

Third, although the path ahead remains challenging, a brighter future is increasingly within reach, Li said, stressing the need for maintaining confidence, shouldering responsibilities, and taking concrete actions.

The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development serves not only as a new blueprint for China's development but also as a new opportunity for global progress, he said.

China will focus on promoting high-quality development, strive to sustain stable economic growth, continue to foster a sound business environment, fully implement national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, and enable businesses from all countries to operate in China with confidence and realize their full potential, he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by about 750 representatives from industrial and business communities at home and abroad. The forum is hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council.

China's top legislator calls for staying the course, jointly creating a better future at Boao forum

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, attends a plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026 and delivers a keynote speech in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 26, 2026. 

China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Thursday called for staying the course and jointly creating a better future at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remarks in a keynote speech at the plenary of the annual conference, which drew more than 1,600 participants from over 60 countries and regions.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the BFA, Zhao said the forum has grown into a shining example in promoting exchanges and mutual learning, solidarity and coordination, and common development among countries in Asia and the wider world.

Zhao called for rejecting conflict and confrontation, and building a better future of peace and tranquility. Efforts should also be made to reject isolation and exclusion, and build a better future of win-win cooperation.

He also stressed the importance of rejecting hegemonic and bullying practices and building a better future of fairness and justice, as well as avoiding suspicion and distrust and building a better future of mutual respect and trust.

Highlighting the recent approval of the outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), Zhao pledged that the country will promote high-quality development, further expand high-standard opening up, and share opportunities with the rest of the world.

Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Has a Group Meeting with Diplomatic Envoys of GCC Countries in China

On March 25, 2026, Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue had a group meeting with the diplomatic envoys of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in China.

Zhai Jun stated that the ongoing hostilities pose a severe threat to security and stability in the Middle East. China attaches great importance to the legitimate security concerns of the GCC side, understands and supports the efforts of GCC countries to safeguard their own sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. China stands ready to continue maintaining close communication with the GCC side and to make unremitting efforts to contribute to de-escalating the situation.

The diplomatic envoys of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council in China briefed on their views regarding the current situation and expressed their hope that China will play a greater role in promoting the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

China-Europe Relations

Chinese premier calls for expanding green, innovation cooperation with the Netherlands

China stands ready to further explore cooperation with the Netherlands in such areas as green development and innovation to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday.

Li made the remarks during a phone conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

Noting that China and the Netherlands have established an open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation for more than a decade, Li said that thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, bilateral relations and cooperation have continued to deepen, with openness and pragmatism remaining a defining feature, delivering tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Currently, the international situation is marked by growing instability, as unilateralism and protectionism are exerting a huge impact on the global economy, he said. Under such circumstances, it is even more important for the two countries to promote cooperation through openness and achieve win-win outcomes through pragmatism, Li noted.

Li voiced China's readiness to work with the Netherlands to consolidate political mutual trust, uphold mutual respect and dialogue based on equality, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, continuously inject new impetus into the common development of both countries, and contribute positively to world peace and prosperity.

China and the Netherlands are important economic and trade partners to each other, and enhanced cooperation serves the common interests of both sides, said Li.

He noted that as China implements its 15th Five-Year Plan, its economy is expected to reach a new level over the next five years, creating even more space to deepen economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

China is willing to strengthen coordination with the Netherlands at all levels and better leverage dialogue mechanisms to further explore potentials for cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and science and technology, said Li.

Noting that the Netherlands has long served as an important gateway for China-Europe cooperation and is a core member of the European Union (EU), Li voiced hope that the Dutch side will play an active role in encouraging the EU institutions to view China-Europe relations and cooperation in an objective and rational manner, and work with China to properly address differences and issues through dialogue and consultation, so as to promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.

For his part, Jetten said that China is an important trading partner of the Netherlands and that relations with China are among the Netherlands' most important bilateral ties.

The relations between the two countries have maintained strong momentum in recent years, said Jetten, noting that the new Dutch government attaches great importance to relations with China and is willing to intensify high-level exchanges with the Chinese side, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, innovation and climate response, jointly address global challenges, and safeguard common interests.

Noting that next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial diplomatic relations between the two countries, Jetten said the Netherlands is willing to work with China to promote continuous new progress in the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The EU-China relationship is of vital importance, he said, noting the Netherlands stands ready to play an active role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.

Wang Yi Meets with UK Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell

On March 23, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with UK Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell in Beijing.

Wang Yi noted that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s historic and successful visit to China this past January was widely commended by various sectors in both countries and the international community. This fully demonstrates that the development of a long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UK is in line with the trend of the times and the aspiration of the people. It also shows that as long as the two sides work with each other in the same direction and engage in constructive communication, they can properly address challenges and issues and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. The two sides should implement the common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, carry out exchanges at various levels, deepen cooperation across the board, effectively manage differences, and work for the steady growth of China-UK relations.

Jonathan Powell stated that the UK stands ready to work with China to implement the outcomes of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to China, strengthen communication and cooperation, and jointly develop a long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership.

China willing to expand imports from Europe, expects EU to refrain from politicizing economic, trade issues, Chinese Commerce Minister talks with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security

China is willing to actively expand imports from Europe and hopes that the European side will relax export controls on high-tech products and refrain from politicizing or weaponizing economic and trade issues, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said on Thursday, during a meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic while attending the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Friday.

During the meeting, Wang said that as both China and Europe are firm supporters and active contributors to the multilateral trading system, the two sides should work together to promote practical outcomes at MC14 in areas such as WTO reform, the investment facilitation agreement, and e-commerce, so as to help all parties - especially developing members - better integrate into the multilateral trading system and benefit more from multilateral win-win cooperation.

Wang said that China and Europe are important economic and trade partners to each other. The two sides should strengthen dialogue and communication. He expressed the hope that the European side would view China's development in a rational and objective manner, properly handle frictions and differences, and jointly promote the healthy and positive development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

China pays high attention to a series of trade and economic tools introduced by the European side in recent years, particularly the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the Proposal for a revised Cybersecurity Act, and the Industrial Accelerator Act. These protectionist legislations will seriously affect normal China-EU economic and trade cooperation and the stability of industrial and supply chains. China hopes that the European side will attach great importance to China's serious concerns and properly resolve them through dialogue and consultation, Wang noted.

Sefcovic said that the EU and China share broad consensus on WTO reform and the EU is willing to work together with China to ensure the success of MC14 and jointly safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system, according to the MOFCOM report. The EU recognizes that MFN treatment is the cornerstone of the multilateral trading system, but it needs to be recalibrated in light of evolving circumstances. 

Facing a new situation in EU-China economic and trade cooperation, the EU is willing to strengthen engagement with China, properly and effectively manage differences, and ensure the steady development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Sefcovic said, the MOFCOM reported. He invited Minister Wang to visit the EU headquarters within the year for comprehensive and in-depth discussions on EU-China bilateral economic and trade relations.

Both sides agreed to establish a trade and investment working group to conduct professional discussions on issues arising in bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The two sides also agreed to continue dialogue and exchanges under the framework of the upgraded China-EU export control dialogue mechanism, according to the MOFCOM.

Ambassador's Article

Seizing Opportunities for Cooperation to Deepen China–EU Partnership

2026 marks the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and also a new starting point for the next 50 years of China–EU relations. At the beginning of the year, President Xi Jinping reached a series of important consensus with several leaders of European countries, charting the course and providing strategic guidance for the development of China–Europe relations. In the face of a complex and challenging external environment, China’s economy remains on a solid footing, with multiple strengths, strong resilience, and vast potential. The fundamentals supporting its long-term growth and its overall positive trajectory remain unchanged. The new development of China’s economy will create fresh opportunities for China–EU cooperation.

(Read the full text here)

Spokesperson's Remarks

China to play a constructive role to work and create conditions for truly meaningful and sincere talks

AFP: Iran has denied that it is negotiating with the U.S. despite Donald Trump saying that they want to make a deal. Can you tell us if China is aware of ongoing negotiations between Iran and the U.S.? And is China pushing Iran to engage in talks with the U.S.?

Lin Jian: China has stressed more than once that a drawn-out conflict serves no one’s interests. It will only lead to more casualties, unnecessary loss, and the spillover of the situation. The pressing priority is to actively promote peace talks, seize the opportunity for peace and end the fighting. China supports all efforts conducive to deescalation. All parties should work and create conditions for truly meaningful and sincere talks. China will continue to play a constructive role to that end.

We hope the EU will work with China to keep the international trade environment open and inclusive

Reuters: The European Union and Australia have signed a trade deal today and European Commission President von der Leyen in her speech about this deal said that the EU and Australia’s critical mineral partnership would be crucial and that both cannot be overdependent on any supplier. She also spoke out against absorbing China’s export-led growth model and industrial overcapacity. Does China have a response to these remarks?

Lin Jian: International trade is in essence a two-way choice by the market that benefits both sides. The EU itself has always enjoyed a trade surplus. China’s high-quality and innovative products enrich global supply, boost trade and drive industrial development. China never seeks trade surplus. In fact, 40% of exports of China-based European companies are sold to Europe and counted as China’s surplus. But the profits of the sales go to European investors. China is ready to be not only a “world factory” but also a “world market”. Committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, China is actively implementing the strategy of expanding domestic demand. We are increasing imports of quality foreign products through such platforms as the China International Import Expo and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, unlocking consumption potential at a faster pace, and injecting fresh momentum into the world economy.

We hope the EU will abandon the zero-sum mentality, steer clear of protectionist measure, and view China’s development in a rational and objective light. By seizing new opportunities presented by China’s 15th Five-Year Plan blueprint, the two sides can work together to seek robust and balanced trade. It is hoped that the EU will work with China to keep the international trade environment open and inclusive.

Media Commentary

This letter from Belgian PM digs a hole for EU: Global Times editorial

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks at the annual New Year forum "The Future of Europe," co-hosted by leading Belgian financial newspapers De Tijd and L'Echo. Photo: Screenshot from website.

According to European media reports, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever recently wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, claiming that China "is devastating our economy" and calling for discussions on "adopting a firmer approach toward China" at the European Council summit in April. Such radical remarks are surprising. Not only does the so-called "China shock" narrative he promotes not align with the facts, but the proposed solutions in the letter are also digging a hole for the EU.

In fact, De Wever's remarks show a stark contrast over time. Last summer, he acknowledged the long-standing history of Belgium-China engagement, emphasized Belgium's role as a gateway in EU-China cooperation, and advocated for stronger exchanges and greater mutual trust. Yet in just over half a year, he first claimed at Davos that "people want to join the European Union … nobody wants to join China," and more recently went further, portraying China as "devastating Europe's economy." Some analysts believe that more than a year into his tenure, De Wever is facing various domestic pressures, and criticizing "the increase in Chinese exports" has conveniently become a tool for him to deflect internal pressures and to boost Brussels' influence within the EU externally.

Many of the pressures Europe is facing today do not originate from China but from its own long-accumulated structural issues. What Europe should truly be thinking about today is, first and foremost, how to fix itself rather than assuming that simply pushing back against China can resolve its competitiveness challenges. On the contrary, the more China is cast as a "scapegoat" for Europe's difficulties, the more it risks obscuring the internal problems that Europe truly needs to confront and address. Attributing challenges such as strains on Europe's industrial base, pressure on economic competitiveness, and rising supply chain anxieties solely to China "controlling" production and supply chains is, in itself, a form of political laziness that merely blames external factors.
 

Read the full text here

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The aurora observed from China's Heilongjiang Province.(Xinhua photos)

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 Lin